Anwar Ali, an India international, has been handed a four-month ban by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). For the unversed, he was part of the Mohun Bagan Super Giant side on loan for a period of four years. Ali was loaned to Bagan by Delhi FC. Meanwhile, before his contract with Mohun Bagan came to an end, the India player decided to take matters into his own hands and join Bagan’s historical rivals, East Bengal FC. This decision has landed him with a four-month ban and a monetary fine, worth INR 12.90 Crore.
The combination of East Bengal, Delhi FC, and the player himself will pay the amount. Apart from the monetary fine, AIFF’s Player Statue Committee has handed Delhi FC and East Bengal a ban on new player signing for a duration of two transfer windows.
“Anwar Ali will serve a four-month sporting ban, while East Bengal and Delhi FC will face two transfer window bans, starting from the January transfer window. All three parties – Anwar Ali, Delhi FC and East Bengal – must pay Rs 12.90 crores in compensation to Mohun Bagan,” AIFF’s Players’ Statue Committee (PSC) said in its judgment on Tuesday, September 10.
Anwar Ali continues to feature for Blue Tigers despite transfer dispute
Owing to the transfer-related dispute, Ali couldn’t play any match for East Bengal FC in the pre-season and had most of his gametime for the Blue Tigers. He was part of India’s 0-3 loss to Syria in the recently-concluded Intercontinental Cup 2024. The 24-year-old’s move from Mohun Bagan to East Bengal is one of the biggest controversies in Indian football after he had signed a five-year deal worth INR 2.5 Crore.
Ali was set to receive a total of INR 24 Crore during his five-year contract. However, as the transfer controversy followed, Anwar Ali, East Bengal and Delhi FC are all jointly “liable” for the compensation amount, which includes ₹8.40 Crore for the residual value of the contract, ₹2 Crore already paid to Delhi FC under loan agreement, and ₹2.50 Crore for other “damages suffered by the club”, as stated in the decision of the AIFF Players Status Committee.