New Delhi: Seven I-League clubs who refused to participate in the ongoing Super Cup in Bhubaneswar are likely to face heavy sanctions when the league committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) meets April 12 in the Temple City.
According to Federation sources, all seven clubs – Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Churchill Brothers, Aizawl FC, Minerva FC and Gokulam FC and Neroca FC – could be asked to cough out money to compensate the loss incurred by the federation for their absence in the season-ending tournament.
The clubs refused to play citing unfair treatment towards them from the AIFF and demanded assurance from President Praful Patel of a meeting to discuss the future roadmap of Indian football. Once assured of a meeting, still they did not take the field.
“Six of the non-participating clubs registered players and then did not turn up. Mohun Bagan did not register footballers but that is hardly going to reduce their punishment. As per regulations, all clubs, who played in I-League, are bound to play all tournaments organised by the Federation,” said a senior AIFF official.
However, according the official, the federation is planning to impose sanctions on the basis of the agreement signed by the clubs at the start of the I-League last year.
The agreement 2 (A) said: “The club is desirous of participating in the Hero I-League for the season 2018-19 ‘competition’ being organised by the Authority, along with any other such competitions and/or tournaments the club would be required to participate in and as may be added to the season schedule by the Authority.”
Given the way things have turned out in the last few couple of weeks, the growing rift between the federation and the I-League clubs could lead the league committee refer the matter relating to ‘boycott’ of Super Cup to disciplinary committee by using the rule 10.4 of Super Cup regulations.
“All stakeholders in the Super Cup have incurred heavy loss due to sudden exit of seven I-League clubs at the last moment. It won’t be a surprise if the Disciplinary Committee, as per the recommendation of the league committee, slaps heavy fine on the absent clubs to recover the financial loss,” added the official.
What the Rule 10.4 says
The Participating Club that withdraws from the competition after its commencement shall
- Be required to pay compensation for any and all damages or losses suffered by, where applicable, the other participating club/s, the AIFF, the AIFF commercial right partners, licensees, broadcasters and the concerned Member Association.
- Be disqualified from taking part in next edition of the Competition from which it withdrew. The AIFF Executive Committee may extend the suspension depending on the gravity of the situation and/or impose further damages as deemed appropriate by it.
- Be referred to the AIFF Disciplinary Committee for determination of the compensation amount and additional sanctions. Depending upon the gravity of the offence, the case may be referred to the AIFF Executive Committee for final decision.
JFC, NEUFC qualify
Bhubaneswar: Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United FC qualified for the quarterfinals of the Super Cup without a minute being played on the field after their respective opponents Churchill Brothers and Neroca FC withdrew from the tournament respectively as a unified stand against the AIFF citing unfair treatment. Jamshedpur will meet FC Goa while NorthEast will face Chennaiyin FC in the last 8.
