Confusion over suspension! I-League hit with fresh controversy after miscommunication regarding ban of two Mohammedan SC players

One of the two Mohammedan SC players had a significant impact on the I-League game against Sreenidi Deccan.

The ongoing I-League season has been hit with yet another controversy, this time between title challengers Sreenidi Deccan FC and Mohammedan SC during their top-of-the-table clash on December 3 at Kalyani. Hyderabad based Sreenidi went on to lose the match 2-1 with Mirjalol Kasimov grabbing the headlines with his goal for the Black Panthers.

However, the match was marred by controversy surrounding the suspension of Mohammedan SC players Mirjalol Kasimov and Alexis Gomez.

It has turned out that both Kasimov and Gomez were handed lengthy bans by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for serious offences during Mohammedan SC’s match against Delhi FC on November 10. While Kasimov was handed an eight-match suspension for his headbutt of the referee for which he also saw a straight red in the match, Alexis Gomez was banned for four matches. The Argentine was also sent off against Delhi FC after two bookable offences.

Mohammedan SC then went on to play their next two matches against Rajasthan United and debutants Inter Kashi respectively without their suspended duo.

With the bans continuing, the decision of suspension was also communicated to Sreenidi Deccan, Mohammedan SC’s then next opponents, in the Match Coordination Meeting a day prior to the match, with Match Commissioner Firdous Ahmed confirming the suspensions via an official email. Khel Now possesses a copy of the mail sent by the Match Commissioner.

However, to Sreenidi’s surprise both players were mentioned in the Black Panthers’ teamsheet 90 minutes before kickoff on Matchday. As it happened, both players’ bans had been lifted and so they went on to play the match and were also involved in helping Mohammedan SC take a crucial lead before half-time. Kasimov scored the goal assisted by Alex Gomez.

Sreenidi, who finished second last year and also currently occupy the second position in the league three points behind Mohammedan SC, have since expressed displeasure with the AIFF for not informing them regarding the upliftment of the bans of those two players.

A senior club official told Khel Now, “Our concerns are regarding the procedures observed. The club (Sreenidi) received an official communication from AIFF following the pre-match meeting, only to encounter differing realities upon reaching the stadium the next day. This discrepancy, after an official communication, is unacceptable.”

Furthermore, the club official stated, “In the interest of maintaining the league’s integrity, we will be seeking detailed explanations from AIFF on various aspects of this process, which we believed were in line with established protocols. Moving forward, we anticipate that this action will pave the way for enhanced transparency from AIFF, preventing such unfortunate incidents and ensuring the continued integrity and fairness of the league.”

Khel Now on its part also sought clarification from the All India Football Federation to present their perspective on the matter. The AIFF claimed that the bans were lifted after the pre-match meeting and that everything was followed as per the protocols and the concerned party in this case — i.e., Mohammedan Sporting Club, were informed about the decision.

A senior AIFF officer informed Khel Now, “The Ethics committee have removed the ban on both players, but Mirjalol (Kasimov) is on probation.”

When asked if so, why wasn’t it communicated during the Match Coordination Meeting with both teams on December 2nd, the official disclosed, “The Ethics Committee met on 1st (of December) and the decision was communicated on 2nd (of December). However, MCM (Match Co-ordination Meeting) was conducted before the decision was communicated.

“So, these things did not happen together. Rather it happened one after another, and that the process for both decisions were followed accordingly. It is not connected to each other. “

“This (the decision) was communicated (to Mohammedan SC) and Sreenidi is not a party to this decision,” the senior official told Khel Now.

In the league, Mohammedan Sporting next host Gokulam Kerala at home while Sreenidi Deccan travel to Srinagar to play Real Kashmir Football Club. The Kolkata based side are three points ahead at the top with a game in hand over the Deccan Warriors.

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