Controversy taking its toll as Chennai City FC part ways with Haroon Amiri

The Afghani International has been a key member in the Chennai side since the beginning of the I-league season. . . 

Chennai City Football Club has parted ways with Haroon Amiri on Thursday. In a release from the club, the management said that the player and the club have agreed on the move on mutual consent.

Chennai City FC thanked Haroon Amiri for all his efforts and contribution in their debut I-league journey. After a draw with Bengaluru FC on Wednesday evening, V Soundararajan had pointed out that Amiri did not want to come on as a substitute but was ready to start the game. 

The Madurai-born gaffer benched Haroon Amiri as he brought on Raegan Albarnas to replace him. With the Tamil Nadu striker proving ineffectual, many observers expected him to introduce the former, but he elected to bring on Denson Devadas and Liandala Sena. Speaking to the journalists after the whistle, he revealed that his Afghanistan midfielder had refused to come on as a second-half substitute.

Read the full report: Chennai City FC coach accuses Haroon Amiri of misconduct

"Amiri had a good game in the recent 1-1 draw with DSK Shivajians,” said Soundararajan. “My plan was to bring him on in the second half. Raegan, unfortunately, wasn't playing well, so I asked him to warm-up. It seemed as though he had wanted to be in the starting eleven as he refused to come on as a substitute.

"Amiri has been in fine form; he even scored in the Shivajians game. His coming on would have been helpful for us. He's an experienced player, who works hard and is highly spirited. I had to change my strategy because of Amiri's decision to remain on the bench. I have nothing against Amiri and I'm okay with his decision.

"He warmed up during the half-time break. I don't know what was going on in his mind when he made his mind up not to be used as a substitute. He didn't talk with the players. He was feeling bad in the end. He didn't understand why I wanted to bring him on a second-half substitute. I didn't expect that from Amiri; he should have listened to the coach like every good player does. I'll talk to him personally; we'll look to solve the problem as soon as possible."

Countering the opinion, Amiri said, "Everything is a lie. All the things he (coach Soundararajan) told in the media are lies. I have never misbehaved nor did I refuse to warm-up. I saw my name in the substitutes and I was okay with it but I was also surprised given that I had scored two goals recently. Nonetheless, I was hoping I would be called on as a replacement but the coach did not look at my face and tell me to go warm-up during the game", Amiri confessed to Goal after the former Afghan national was taken aback with the accusations hurled on him.

The club's prime target right now is to ensure that the squad reaches its full potential, as revealed in the release.