A Simple Explainer on Anwar Ali's PSC Verdict and its Possible Further Implications

So, its official now. Anwar: No Football for 4 months. East Bengal and Delhi FC: Cannot register players for two transfer windows (the upcoming one in January and the window next Summer). Mohun Bagan: 12.9 crores as financial compensation.

Now, to any logical sensible Indian Football fan, it is an unquestionable win for Mohun Bagan. Not only is Mohun Bagan getting the money that they were supposed to give to Anwar for the remaining of his loan contract, but also the money they already had given to Anwar for one year of his services. And 2.5 crores on top of that!

What Now? Who Appeals Where?

Anwar Ali banned for FOUR months

East Bengal and Delhi FC banned from registering
any new players for TWO registration periods

Mohun Bagan Super Giant eligible for COMPENSATION of Rs 12.9 crore, to be paid by Anwar, East Bengal and Delhi FC.#IndianFootball

— Marcus Mergulhao (@MarcusMergulhao) September 10, 2024

Now the ball is in the "court" of the party of Anwar Ali, Delhi FC and East Bengal, as it is more likely that this verdict isn't much in their favour. Thus, if they want, they can protest the decision in front of AIFF's Appeals Committee. 

Now the Appeals Committee is the highest any aggrieved party can approach within the All India Football Federation. Article 51 of AIFF's Constitution states that the 'decisions pronounced by the Appeal Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.'

Judging by the recent history of the proceedings of the Appeals Committee, it is more likely that today's decision will be upheld, and a radical amendment is a bit far fetched to consider. When Kerala Blasters appealed to this committee to reconsider the imposition of a 4 crore ban for misconduct and abandonment of their game against Bengaluru FC in the Hero Indian Super League play offs on March 3, 2023, the appeal was rejected.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport

As per article 34.1 (Appeals) of AIFF Regulations on Status n Transfer of Players, any appeal against a decision taken by the AIFF Players’ Status Committee would lie to the AIFF Appeals Committee within the time limits as prescribed under Article 119 of the disciplinary code. https://t.co/32YFiJ4FBD

— Marcus Mergulhao (@MarcusMergulhao) September 10, 2024

After the rejection from AIFF's Appeals Committee, Kerala Blasters then approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), headquartered in Laussane in Switzerland. It was established in 1984 to settle disputes related to sport through arbitration. Arbitration is referred to as a formal method of dispute resolution involving a neutral third party who makes a binding decision.

Kerala Blasters didn't get much help there. The CAS stated that KBFC "set (a) dangerous precedent with walkout." Now, back to Anwar. If the case gets brought to the AIFF's Appeals Committee, and later CAS get approached too, and they too decide that Anwar set a dangerous precedent by not honouring the contract with Mohun Bagan, then at the end of this saga, Mohun Bagan will end up receiving their due justice.

Minor point to note, let's go back to where it all started. Where Mr. Scooter, a meme started by a MBFT Member himself, and all other self proclaimed journalists claiming to know more about Anwar than any one else, and now in hiding and deleting their previous tweets, started claiming that some complicated FIFA rule gives Anwar the authority to just simply walk away from Mohun Bagan.

That Infamous FIFA Rule

Any EB fans still wondering whom to blame for this fiasco, please listen from 34' onwards . Top work from @KhelNow and @7negiashish https://t.co/W140OUu4a8

— Manas (@BManas89) September 10, 2024

Whatever rule that maybe, unless and until, that rule gets implemented by AIFF in their own rulebook, and notified to all clubs of Indian Football with a dedicated time window to solve all conflicts pertaining to the introduction of that new major rule, any such FIFA recommendation can not be directly referred here to justify any unilateral (one sided) contract terminations. 

AIFF didn't bring that rule in their rule book, Mohun Bagan had no compulsion to honour such rules before they were officially imposed by the AIFF with proper notifications and warnings, which have not been done yet for this rule.

So where are we now? Yes, a major verdict in favour of Mohun Bagan, just how it should be. Justice served. The player has not been majorly punished, the absence is similar to just a medium term injury, and the highers up, the involved clubs who tried to take advantage of this compilated situation have been properly punished.

East Bengal and Delhi FC will think a lot before deciding whether to take this forward or to accept the award by AIFF's Player Status Committee. For now, Mohun Bagan as always continue to focus on their upcoming Indian Super League Season.

Also, being the National Club of India, they also are proud to be the only club to be representing the country in Asia in the Asian Champions League 2, with their inaugural Group Stage fixture scheduled at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on the 18th of September where they would welcome Tajik heavyweight FC Ravshan Kulob.

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