Anwar Ali Case: Full judgement of AIFF PSC explained

The Independent Tribunal ordered compensation of 12.9 crores in favour of Mohun Bagan.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointed Players’ Status Committee (PSC) has delivered its final judgment in the case between Indian footballer Anwar Ali and the Sanjiv Goenka-backed Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG). 

Anwar Ali had unilaterally terminated his loan agreement with Mohun Bagan, returning to his parent club, Delhi FC, without just cause and was subsequently denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to join East Bengal. Ali then approached the PSC, seeking sanction for his proposed move. Below, we at Khel Now simplify the tribunal’s final ruling issued on September 10, 2024.

Related News: Anwar Ali, East Bengal, Delhi FC hit with bans & Rs 12.90 crore fine

Key findings of PSC

The committee, led by Deputy Chairperson Savio Messias, declared that while the “claim of the Player, Anwar Ali, is admissible,” which means his request to leave Mohun Bagan is accepted but his termination of the loan agreement with the Mariners was found to be “without just cause.” This meant that despite his premature exit from Mohun Bagan, the contract, being one of personal service, could not be specifically enforced by the club. 

However, the PSC clarified that this does not stop Ali from moving to a new club as “the grant of the NOC from Mohun Bagan to the player is purely an administrative issue,” and the registration was merely provisional and without prejudice to the rights of MBSG mentioned in the interim order dated 10th August.

Inducement & Compensation

The ruling highlights that under AIFF regulations, termination without just cause implies that the “new club shall be deemed to have induced the player to terminate the contract.” In this case, both East Bengal and Delhi FC were deemed responsible for inducing the player and were thus held liable. “DFC and EBFC were notified to defend and overcome the presumption of inducement.”  

However, the judgment further reads, “The interested parties have failed to discharge the burden of proof. Accordingly, it is held that the Interested Parties are guilty of inducement.” Hence, both clubs have been sanctioned monetarily and sportingly.

This led the PSC to conclude that Mohun Bagan are entitled to a substantial compensation package amounting to INR 12.9 crores. This amount suggests a breakdown of three major factors which are as under:

• The residual value of Anwar Ali’s contract for three years, calculated at an average of INR 2.8 crores per year
• INR 2 crores already paid by MBSG to Delhi FC under the original loan deal.
• INR 2.5 crores, which covers other damages, including replacement costs.

Sporting Sanctions

Beyond financial penalties, significant sporting sanctions have also been imposed by the PSC which are as under:

1. Anwar Ali has been banned from playing official matches for four months.
2.  East Bengal and Delhi FC have been banned from registering new players for two consecutive transfer windows.

Future course of action

All parties involved have the option to appeal the decision to the AIFF Appeals Committee within the set deadline of 10 days after the receipt of the judgment. “Should any of the parties wish to receive the grounds of the decision, a written request must be received by the AIFF, within ten (10) days of receipt of notification of the findings of the decision. Failure to do so within the stated deadline will result in the decision becoming final and binding and the parties being deemed to have waived their rights to file an appeal.”

The decision also notes that any failure to pay the required compensation within 45 days could result in further consequences, including extended bans for both the player and clubs.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.