AIFF Disciplinary Committee announces verdict on Asheer Akhtar's red card

The Highlanders had appealed to review their defender’s dismissal earlier.

On Wednesday, the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) Disciplinary Committee rescinded the red card received by Asheer Akhtar, defender of NorthEast United FC against Kerala Blasters FC in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25. After this decision, the Indian defender can play the away match against FC Goa on 4th September at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa.

Indian defender Asheer Akhtar was sent off against Kerala Blasters FC for his lunging tackle on Noah Sadaoui at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, on Sunday. It was the first straight red card of the ISL season.

Juan Pedro Benali confirmed that the club had appealed the red card and was waiting for a positive outcome in the pre-match press conference on 1st October, ahead of the FC Goa game. As per information received from the club officials, Asheer Akhtar had traveled to Goa with the team.

AIFF’s official statement

According to the AIFF release, the AIFF Disciplinary Committee has rescinded the red card shown to Akhtar and downgraded it to a caution (yellow card) “for reckless play as suggested concerning the technical report.”

“After reviewing the documents submitted by the player and on the basis of the Technical Report given by the Chief Refereeing Officer (Trevor Kettle), the Wrongful Dismissal Review Panel has unanimously agreed that the player was incorrectly sent off for Serious Foul Play,” stated the committee’s decision.

Further, the statement mentioned, “The Committee expressed its view that the player was wrongfully dismissed and that it upholds the claim filed by the club on behalf of the player.”

ALSO READ: FC Goa vs NorthEast United FC lineups, team news, prediction & preview

Asheer Akhtar’s journey so far with NorthEast United

Asheer Akhtar is one of the key players for NorthEast United FC currently. The defender joined the Highlanders on August 20, 2023, from Sreenidi Deccan FC. This year, in July, NorthEast United announced that the centre-half had signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2026.

Asheer was one of the standout performers last season, demonstrating remarkable consistency and strength in defence. In his debut season in the Indian Super League, the 29-year-old defender from Kamptee, Maharashtra, featured in 19 games, scored one goal, and provided one assist.

The defensive expert was one of the key players in the club’s successful campaign for the Durand Cup 2024 which was the first accolade the side added to their trophy cabinet. In the latest edition of the competition, he played five matches as a defender, and the team did not concede a single goal in four of those matches.

NorthEast United will face FC Goa in their fourth game of the season. In ISL 2024-25, they beat Mohammedan SC, faced defeat against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and shared a point with Kerala Blasters FC. The Highlanders currently stand in sixth position on the league table.

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