Anwar banned for four months; Mohun Bagan eligible for ₹12.90 crore compensation: AIFF PSC judgment

India international Anwar Ali faces a four-month suspension and ₹12.90 crore compensation for contract termination with Mohun Bagan.

The All India Football Federation on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) imposed a four-month suspension on India international Anwar Ali after finding the defender "guilty" of illegally terminating his four-year contract with Mohun Bagan who is also eligible for a huge compensation of ₹12.90 crore.

The Players Status Committee of the AIFF also ruled that Anwar's parent clubs Delhi FC and East Bengal, with whom the defender had entered into a lucrative five-year deal, have been banned from registering players for two transfer windows— 2024-25 winter and 2025-26 summer.

Anwar Ali, East Bengal and Delhi FC are all jointly "liable" for the compensation amount which includes Rs 8.40 crore for the residual value of the contract, ₹2 crore already paid to Delhi FC under a loan agreement, and ₹2.50 crore for other "damages suffered by the club," stated the decision of the AIFF Players Status Committee.

The transfer of India centre-back Ali to East Bengal from Mohun Bagan following a unilateral termination of his loan, had sparked a controversy in Kolkata Maidan.

The 23-year-old, who played a key role in their Indian Super League Shield-winning campaign, scoring three goals and one assist in 26 games last season, terminated his contract and joined arch-rivals East Bengal in a five-year deal.

Mohun Bagan then challenged the decision by filing a complaint with the AIFF's Player Status Committee.

"In accordance with Article 20.4, the Player is restricted from playing in official matches for a period of 4 (four) months, a period that shall commence from the date of notification of this decision," read the six-page judgment signed by Savio Messias deputy chairperson, AIFF Players Status Committee.