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.
