Indian men’s national team defender Anwar Ali has been banned from playing football for four months following his controversial transfer from Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) to East Bengal FC. The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Player Status Committee handed down the ban on Tuesday, citing the premature termination of his loan agreement with MBSG, which they deemed illegal. This decision has sent shockwaves across Indian football as the dispute escalates into a financial and sporting battle.

In addition to the ban on Anwar, East Bengal FC and his parent club, Delhi FC, face severe penalties. Both clubs have been banned from registering any players during the next two transfer windows, starting in January. If the financial settlement tied to the dispute is not resolved within 45 days, this ban could be extended to three windows, further crippling their ability to strengthen their squads.

One of the most significant elements of the ruling involves the compensation that must be paid to Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The AIFF has ordered Anwar, East Bengal, and Delhi FC to collectively pay Rs 12.9 crore to MBSG. The hefty sum was calculated based on several factors:

Anwar’s remaining three-year contract with MBSG was valued at an average of Rs 2.8 crore per year, resulting in Rs 8.4 crore in compensation for the contract’s early termination.

– Remuneration Paid by MBSG to Delhi FC: MBSG had paid Rs 2 crore to Delhi FC as part of the loan agreement for Anwar.

– Additional Damages: MBSG claims to have suffered Rs 2.5 crore in damages, including the costs involved in finding a replacement for Anwar.

If the Rs 12.9 crore is not paid within the stipulated 45 days, the consequences could become even more severe for all involved. The transfer ban on East Bengal and Delhi FC would increase to three transfer windows, and Anwar’s playing ban could be extended to six months, further derailing his career.

The controversy began in July when Anwar terminated his loan agreement with Mohun Bagan through an email, despite being under contract for four years with the Mariners. He subsequently signed a five-year deal with East Bengal FC, a move that MBSG claimed was illegal. The club included Anwar in their Calcutta Football League squad, signaling their intention to dispute his departure.

According to Article 15 of AIFF’s Regulation for the Status and Transfer of Players, a contract between a professional player and a club can only be terminated upon expiry or mutual agreement. MBSG argued that Anwar’s unilateral termination violated this regulation, and the AIFF’s Player Status Committee ultimately agreed, finding no “just cause” for his departure.

However, in an interim ruling on August 3, the Committee allowed Anwar to join another club at his own risk. Just ten days later, East Bengal officially announced his signing, but the looming threat of legal repercussions hung over the transfer.

Anwar Ali now faces a crucial decision in his career. Under Article 51 of the AIFF constitution, the 24-year-old defender has the right to appeal the Player Status Committee’s decision. He must notify the AIFF Appeal Committee in writing within three days of receiving the sanction if he chooses to challenge the ban.

Should Anwar and his representatives choose to appeal, the AIFF Appeal Committee will have to re-examine the case, focusing on the legality of the loan termination and the hefty financial settlement that has been imposed. Until then, the player is barred from participating in any football-related activities for the next four months, and his future remains uncertain.