CAS suspends Anwar Ali transfer case for five months, directs AIFF to conclude proceedings
The dispute between Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal over Anwar Ali’s transfer will continue.
The long-running dispute surrounding Anwar Ali’s controversial move from Mohun Bagan Super Giant to East Bengal is set to continue. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has suspended its proceedings for five months and directed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to conclude the matter through its internal judicial bodies.
The order, issued by a three-member CAS panel on Tuesday, gives the AIFF another opportunity to resolve the dispute. However, it also protects Mohun Bagan’s right to approach the international arbitration body again if the federation fails to deliver a final verdict within the stipulated period.
The three-member panel stated:
“The panel concludes that the proceedings before CAS will be suspended for a period of five months following the issuance of this order to allow the AIFF player’ status committee (PSC) and/or AIFF appeals committee (AC) decision(s) to be made expeditiously, with related grounds provided to the parties.”
The latest development means the legal battle over Anwar’s transfer could stretch well beyond its initial timeline. The defender joined East Bengal on a five-year contract in August 2024 after terminating his agreement with Mohun Bagan.
Since then, the transfer has triggered a lengthy legal battle between the two Kolkata rivals, with Mohun Bagan challenging the termination and subsequent move.
CAS gives AIFF five months to deliver final verdict
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In its latest order, CAS decided to put its proceedings on hold to allow the AIFF’s Player Status Committee (PSC) and/or Appeals Committee (AC) to complete the necessary proceedings.
However, the suspension does not mean that the dispute has reached its conclusion. Mohun Bagan can return to CAS if it remains dissatisfied with the outcome of the domestic proceedings.
The club can also approach the same panel if the AIFF fails to deliver a final adjudication within the five-month deadline.
According to a report in TOI, a senior Mohun Bagan official said CAS had recognised its jurisdiction to hear the appeal on a prima facie basis. The official also pointed to the panel’s recognition of concerns surrounding the prolonged proceedings in India.
Explaining the significance of the order, the official said:
“The panel has expressly protected the club’s right to return to the same panel if the AIFF fails to deliver a final decision within the stipulated period. In such circumstances, CAS will resume the proceedings and adjudicate the entire dispute de novo, including the merits and Bagan’s claims for compensation.”
Therefore, while CAS has temporarily suspended the case, Mohun Bagan have retained the option of pursuing the matter internationally.
Why are Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fighting over Anwar Ali’s transfer?
The dispute dates back to August 2024, when Anwar Ali ended his contractual arrangement with Mohun Bagan and completed his move to East Bengal.
Mohun Bagan challenged the termination, arguing that the defender had walked away from his agreement without just cause and during the protected period.
The original arrangement involved a tripartite loan agreement between Mohun Bagan, Delhi FC and Anwar. It covered four years, starting on June 1, 2023, and ending on May 31, 2027.
The Mariners maintained that Anwar’s decision violated Articles 15 and 20 of the AIFF Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
The matter subsequently went before the AIFF’s Player Status Committee. On September 10, 2024, the committee imposed a four-month suspension on Anwar.
It also handed two-window transfer bans to East Bengal and Delhi FC, Anwar’s parent club at the time.
Furthermore, the committee directed Anwar, East Bengal and Delhi FC to pay Mohun Bagan compensation amounting to ₹12.9 crore.
Delhi High Court earlier put AIFF verdict on hold
The initial AIFF ruling did not bring the dispute to an end. The decision was challenged before the Delhi High Court, which subsequently stayed its implementation. The court also directed the AIFF Appeals Committee to hear the matter afresh.
That development brought the case back into the federation’s domestic judicial process. However, the prolonged proceedings eventually led to the matter reaching CAS.
The latest CAS order now puts the international proceedings on hold for five months while the AIFF completes the process directed by the Delhi High Court.
The five-month deadline will be crucial. If the AIFF delivers a final decision, the parties will have to assess their next legal options. If it fails to do so, Mohun Bagan can return to CAS and seek a fresh adjudication of the entire dispute. The final order on costs will be issued at the conclusion of the hearing, as the CAS proceedings have only been suspended for five months at this stage.
What is the latest CAS order in the Anwar Ali transfer case?
CAS has suspended its proceedings for five months and directed the AIFF’s Player Status Committee and/or Appeals Committee to conclude the matter within that period.
When did Anwar Ali join East Bengal?
Anwar Ali joined East Bengal in August 2024 after ending his contractual arrangement with Mohun Bagan. He signed a five-year deal with the Red and Gold Brigade.
How much compensation was Anwar Ali and East Bengal ordered to pay Mohun Bagan?
The AIFF committee ordered Anwar Ali, East Bengal and Delhi FC to pay Mohun Bagan ₹12.9 crore in compensation. However, the Delhi High Court subsequently stayed the implementation of the ruling.
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