The AIFF Players’ Status Committee fell back on an International Football Federation (FIFA) provision to deliver an unprecedented ruling, ordering the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to grant goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh a No Objection Certificate to enable him play for another club for the remainder of the 2023-24 ISL season and beyond.
The Committee, comprising Goa FA Secretary Savio Messias, Supreme Court lawyer Lzafeer Ahmad BF and Sujesh Ranjan ordered the AIFF Players’ Status Department on February 28 to approve any request for transfer raised by Gurmeet Singh, subject to other provisions under AIFF RSTP, 2023 or other relevant AIFF/FIFA Statutes.
A special message from Gurmeet Singh to the #Highlander family! ⚡#NEUFC #StrongerAsOne #8States1United pic.twitter.com/9kGrdLDXfv
— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) March 2, 2024
Aahna Mehrotra, who represented Gurmeet Singh before the AIFF Committee, said she drew upon FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, 2023. “The AIFF rules did not incorporate that provision in the FIFA rules allowing its members to exceptionally register players outside a registration period, especially those who unilaterally terminate contracts with a just cause.
“As the AIFF rules did not allow the same, I looked up the FIFA rules and was able to convince the Player Status Committee to make a landmark decision,” she said. “Since the whole principle is based on the Bosman Ruling, there had to be a way out. I am certain AIFF will eventually amend its rules.”
The application was filed under Article 10 of the Rules Governing the Procedure of the AIFF Player Status Committee 2021. It pointed out that though Hyderabad FC had not paid Gurmeet Singh the May 2023 instalment of the contracted amount and the bonus due for the 2022-23 season, he continued to train with the squad and fulfil his side of the obligations under the contract.
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Worse, Gurmeet Singh also realised that Hyderabad FC had defaulted on the payment of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) to the relevant authorities for two years. Since it continued to not make him payments, he issued notice to the club on February 5, giving it a fortnight’s time to pay him his dues. On February 21, he served Hyderabad FC notice on termination of contract.
Within four days of the landmark order of the AIFF Players’ Status Committee, Gurmeet Singh signed up for four and a half years with NorthEast United FC as a free agent, clearing clouds of uncertainty over his earnings.
Gurmeet Singh’s battle with 2021-22 ISL champion, Hyderabad FC to recover his dues may continue in other proceedings but, for the moment, he has become the pioneer in opening doors for professional players like him.
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