AIFF Player Status Committee clears Jobby Justin to play for ATK

East Bengal had alleged that the India international striker had signed a contract extension with them before signing for the ISL outfit.

The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Player Status Committee has given the green light for former East Bengal striker Jobby Justin to play for Indian Super League outfit, ATK.

The whole fiasco started when ATK announced Justin as their new signing in the ongoing summer transfer window. Indeed, his former club claimed that the Kerala-born forward is contractually obligated to play for the Red and Gold.

However, the I-League outfit could not come up with enough evidence to support their cause. Hence, the ball was in the player's court and having signed a formal contract with ATK means that Justin is now free to play for his new ISL outfit.

“The committee is of the view that since East Bengal does not have a contract with Jobby Justin, the player is free to sign with ATK. East Bengal said the player had intended to sign a contract extension, but they do not have a proper contract in their possession, as he has not signed one,” a top placed official told Sportstar on Wednesday.

“Technically, a player can sign a contract with a different club within six months of his current contract expiring. As per that, his contract signed with ATK is fine,” the official added.

Justin also submitted a letter explaining his stance in June which read, “This is in respect of my contract I signed with ATK for next three seasons commencing from the 2019-20 season. My contract with East Bengal ended on May 31 and I have not signed any other agreement relating to my professional career. I have been requesting my previous club East Bengal to issue NOC.

“However, till date, I have not received the same and as you are aware the registration window opens on June 9. I seek your intervention and request you to kindly look into the matter and provide justice to me.”

“I had made this clear to the Indian Football Association (IFA) during my meeting with them in April along with my agent. However, to my surprise and shock, I have seen a media article where IFA secretary arbitarily, without taking into consideration statement by me, is making a statement to media that I have signed with East Bengal and should play for East Bengal. I say under oath that I have signed with ATK only and want to play for ATK only.”

The committee also deliberated on the matter concerning I-League champions Chennai City FC winger Nestor Gordillo, who according to the southerners has signed an illegal pre-contract with ISL outfit FC Pune City.

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“Chennai City has submitted all the documents and FC Pune City was asked to clarify their stance, but there has not been a proper submission from Pune City. There was no written submission from them today,” the official said.

“There is no breach of contract as of now. The committee will meet again and we will arrive at a decision soon,” the official added.