Fifa imposes ‘players’ registration ban’ on MBSG; Top brass promises to pay the amount to Mariners in ‘solidarity fund’ soon
The All India Football Federation (AIFF), following instruction from FIFA, has imposed a ban on the registration of new Indian footballers for Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG). The circular although has not specifically explained the reason behind the ban, a potential reason is reported to be a failure to make the solidarity payments. Solidarity payments are distributed to all clubs that trained the player between his 12th and 23rd birthdays at a proportional rate depending on how long the player was at each club. In the case of MBSG, it was Jason Cummings whose previous Australian club Central Coast Mariners deserve 10 percent of the footballer’s contract with his current club MBSG in the account of a ‘solidarity fund’ and MBSG has reportedly failed to pay the amount to Cumming’s previous club. However, it is learned that MBSG top brass paid the amount to the previous club in a ‘solidarity fund’ in the first season when Cummings signed for MBSG. But as the ISL Cup and Shield winner has failed to pay the amount this season, the Fifa disciplinary committee has imposed the registration ban on the club. According to sources close to MBSG top brass, the management has already made request to Fifa to send the respective form so that they can fill it up and send the money to Central Coast Mariners as soon as possible. The registration ban will be lifted by the Fifa once MBSG send the solidarity fund money to Central Coast Mariners. Mumbai City FC also received a similar suspension in October 2024. The reason for the imposition of the national ban was along the same lines for the Islanders.
Fifa agent arrives in North 24 Pargana FC to materialize the scouting program in England
The newly-built club North 24 Pargana FC is all set to begin its talent-nurturing project as an experienced Fifa Match and Players’ agent Alexie Ivanov arrived at the club on Monday morning for a detailed discussion about the club’s project. Alexie has been working as a Fifa Match and Players’ agent for last 15 years throughout the world. He has worked with several clubs especially like legendary Manchester City, Hoffenheim FC and Girona also. This has been Alexie’s sixth visit to India and in his last visit, he worked as the Fifa’s match-agent for the tournament for Kerala Blasters, Girona FC, and Melbourne City in 2018 and took initiative for organizing a tournament involving the three teams in India. Considering the plans North 24 Pargana FC has designed so far, the potential kids will get the opportunity to train at a top academy in England. The scouting program will take place under the guidance of Ivanov. “This project is very positive. We have plans so far that the potential boys of this academy will be taken to England and they will be provided top-class training through a scientific coaching program,” explained Ivanov. While continuing, he added, “At the same time, the boys will be provided an opportunity to have exposure to competitive matches to develop them. I am optimistic that this project will help Indian football ultimately. There are several top-class and professional academies in the UK as well as several club academies. The decision will be taken where exactly the boys will be placed.” Narayan Goswami, the president of North 24 Parganas district and the key man behind the project opined, “North 24 Pargana FC wants to start with 100 potential kids, screening from this district. They will be provided modern training system with the help of experienced foreign coaches and will also be offered food and accommodation during the training period. The project is expected to kick off at the Ashokenagar stadium and we are in the process of developing infrastructure there.”
