MBSG Seeks FIFA Interference on Anwar Transfer, Ryan Joins India Team
Mohun Bagan requested intervention from the world governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation on Friday on the adjudication of Anwar Ali’s contentious transfer to East Bengal, which has dragged on for 16 months without any resolution in sight from the All India Football Federation’s judicial committees. As reported by News9 Sports, Mohun Bagan club has now encouraged an intervention of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation on the judgment for Anwar Ali’s debatable transfer to East Bengal from the Mariners. The case has now been dragging on for almost 16 months without any effective judgment from the football governing body of India. The letter dedicated to the FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and his AFC counterpart Datuk Seri Windsor John, stated that the team are on the receiving end of prejudice. The continuous delay and inactivity in the adjudication of the dispute regarding the Mumbai player’s unilateral contract termination in July 2024 are creating a hazard. The dispute has been ongoing since then in the AIFF’s player status committee and the appeal committee. It was scheduled to be reviewed by the committee on Thursday and Friday. It was scheduled to be heard by the appeal committee. It was scheduled to be heard by the appeal committee (Thursday and Friday); however, the review was postponed until further notice. This movement put Mohun Bagan on a waiting stance. And unsurprisingly, the team is not seeking interference from FIFA and AFC. The team want to ensure the matter was handled fairly and promptly, with the option to approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport if needed. “We write to formally bring to your attention the exceptional delays, procedural stagnation, and continuing prejudice suffered by our Club in the adjudication of its dispute arising from the termination of contract by Mr. Anwar Ali (“Player”), involving his parent club, Delhi FC (“DFC”), and his subsequent engagement with East Bengal FC (“EBFC”), which remains pending before both the AIFF Player Status Committee (“AIFF PSC”) and the AIFF Appeals Committee (“Appeals Committee”),” Bagan wrote in its letter. The letter continued, “The dispute, initiated in July 2024, remains unresolved to date. Despite the passage of more than sixteen months, the matter has not progressed owing to repeated postponements, unilateral adjournments, and significant procedural irregularities. This prolonged delay has effectively denied MBSG timely justice and has caused the Club substantial sporting, financial, and regulatory prejudice.” After AIFF’s statement on postponing the matter indefinitely, AIFF informed Bagan that one of the members of the four-member committee has resigned from his position, leading to this decision. The members of this committee were retired Justice Rajesh Tandon, retired Justice Ashok Kumar Tripathi, Anil Kshatriya and Diwaker Thites. Justice Tripathi’s surrender from the chair led to reduced strength for the committee. It should be noted here that Bagan stated that they have been cooperative, diligent and had faith throughout the proceedings. However, in return, they have faced continuous delays and prejudice. Meanwhile, the newest football sensation of India, Ryan William, might make an appearance donning an Indian Jersey. The India Coach, Khalid Jamil, recently revealed a 23-man squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh. The Australia-born player can make an appearance on match day after clearances from Football Australia, FIFA and the AFC.
After ISL Disaster AIFF Puts Up RFP For Women’s League
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) released a statement on a Request for Proposal (RFP) summoning bids to commercialise the first and second divisions of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) for five years. The IWL is the elite level women’s game in India. The 2025-26 season for the IWL is set to kick off from 20th December 2025 to 6th January 2026. On the other hand, the IWL 2 is the second division, scheduled to begin in the second half of January. IWL is the top tier of the women’s game in India, while IWL 2 is the second division. East Bengal is the defending IWL champion, and Garhwal United won the IWL 2 title last season. According to the RFP, the bidding individual should have a net worth ceiling of INR 30 cr, and the Consortia must hold ₹100 crore at the close of the 2024-25 financial year. Another clause reveals that the investors will have to fund a security deposit of INR 3 Lakh to place a bid. The AIFF is moving forward to form a tri-member Bid Evaluation Committee to choose the partner. Partnering company entity must pay a guaranteed sum or five per cent of its annual gross revenue, whichever is greater. As for the expenditure part of this percentage, the prize money, and the remaining will be sorted for the operational costs through the 2030-31 season. The deadline for the bids is set on 29th November, while the bidders will have a clarification period of 21st of November. Technical bids are scheduled to open on 30th November, while the date for commercial bids will be announced at a later time. The RFP has been issued at a time when the federation’s similar tender for the men’s game failed to generate interest, leaving the Indian Super League in a state of uncertainty.
Siraj Reveals Bumrah’s Advice on Bowling Spree
Mohammed Siraj pressed for more stump attacks. After the first day of the Kolkata Test, Siraj revealed his bowling tactics. While speaking after the match, he admitted that Jasprit Bumrah encouraged him to rain attacks on the stumps as the situation was tougher for the batters. While talking after the match, Siraj stated, “Jassi bhai just told me that the wicket-taking option was if you bowl at the stumps – you’ve got LBW, bowled, and even catches coming into play when the line is accurate.” In the first test, Siraj snared two wickets and claimed a figure of 2/47 in his 12-over bowling row. After bowling out the Proteas for just 159, Team India’s howl bundled after 20 overs, acquiring 37/1. While talking about the batting spree, the bowler stated, “We are in a good position, having lost just one wicket. Earlier, Markram and Rickelton put on a good stand, but we did well to come back, and I think we’re ahead in the match at the moment.” While recapping the third session, South Africa continued their innings from 154/8. Bumrah claimed five wickets, and two among them were smoothly swept off after his gracious return from the tea. Jassi indeed showed remarkable form with his 5-wicket haul for just 27 runs. Bumrah became the first fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul on the opening day of a Test in India since Ishant Sharma achieved the feat in the 2019 day-night Test against Bangladesh at the same venue. While Kuldeep Yadav also showed great resilience, Siraj was slightly off; however, he too chipped in two wickets.
