The Delhi High Court on Friday quashed the decision of the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Players Status Committee (PSC) to suspend Anwar Ali and directed Indian football’s governing body to conduct the entire proceedings afresh. A single judge bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula was hearing petitions filed by Anwar, his current club East Bengal and his parent club Delhi FC. The PSC on September 10 had slapped a four-month ban on the India defender, and asked East Bengal and Delhi FC to pay a compensation of Rs 12.90 crore to Mohun Bagan Super Giant. East Bengal and Delhi FC were also given transfer bans for the 2024-25 winter and 2025-26 summer windows. Now, the whole thing is back to square one, while the player’s fate looks uncertain.
Why did the court quash PSC’s decision?
The AIFF apparently failed to provide reasons to the aggrieved parties, as it meted out punishments. During the hearing on Friday, the court questioned the AIFF’s lawyer about this. “I am instructed to state that the AIFF’s Players Status Committee will withdraw its order dated September 10,” the Federation’s counsel subsequently informed the court. “The committee will hear parties afresh tomorrow, on September 14.”
Can PSC rescind its order?
Theoretically, yes. The Committee will hear the matter again on Saturday and it needs to be seen if the concerned parties furnish any fresh details/documents/evidence that were not presented during the previous PSC hearings. But rescinding the order would be a loss of face for the AIFF, as it will put the PSC’s credibility under the scanner. In case of a U-turn, the past proceedings will border on the farcical.
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Will PSC announce its decision today?
The court didn’t set any time frame for the AIFF in this regard. It directed the Federation to consider the matter afresh. Accordingly, the PSC will hear the parties again on September 14. “After hearing the matter, (the Committee) will pass a detailed order,” the AIFF counsel said. “In the meantime, status quo ante will prevail.” The court, however, kept a provision for an interim order. “In case the proceedings before the AIFF PSC are not concluded on 14th September, 2024, the PSC shall be free to consider the request of the parties with respect to an interim arrangement/orders, during the pendency of the proceedings,” stated the court order.
Does status quo ante mean Anwar is once again a Mohun Bagan player?
Bagan had a loan agreement with Delhi FC to have Anwar. The agreement was abruptly terminated and the player joined East Bengal. The PSC asked Bagan to grant an NOC to the player, which was given. Friday’s court order makes the NOC null and void. So, on the face of it, Anwar becomes a Bagan player again. But there’s a catch. The player has terminated his contract with the Mariners. So, at the moment, he is neither here nor there. He can’t play for Bagan. He can’t turn up for East Bengal either. Until the PSC comes up with a fresh order, Anwar’s fate is in limbo.
Will CAS come into play?
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has the authority to arbitrate on sporting matters. In football, this is as per the FIFA guidelines as well. The concerned parties have the licence to take the matter to FIFA and subsequently to the CAS if they intend so. For now, however, eyes are fixed on the fresh PSC hearing.
Also Read: Court directs AIFF to hear Anwar Ali case afresh, PSC can pass interim order