India defender Anwar Ali didn’t have a dream start to his Indian Super League (ISL) season as East Bengal lost to Kerala Blasters on Sunday, but the smile on his face said it all — he was just happy to be on the football field.
After all, he’s had a tumultuous time since July when he decided to end his loan spell with Mohun Bagan.
What did Anwar do?
So basically, Anwar was a Delhi FC player but was on a long, four-year loan spell at Mohun Bagan SG.
On July 8, he issued a notice of termination to Bagan, citing Article 10.1.d of FIFA’s new regulations on the status and transfer of players (RSTP) that “a loan agreement may be concluded for a minimum duration of the time between two registration periods and a maximum duration of one year.”
A 🔝 performer! 🙌#JoyEastBengal #Anwar2029 pic.twitter.com/8OaR000Jpu
— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) August 16, 2024
“As per the above regulations, any contract and agreement regarding my loan transfer for a period longer than one year stands invalid. It is also pertinent to note that the loan agreement does not contain a termination clause which in itself makes the agreement invalid,” Anwar had said.
What do AIFF rules say?
That’s where the problem lies. The AIFF has not yet implemented the new FIFA rules. It has till June 2025 to adopt the changes, and for now, are counting on its own Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) for domestic players.
“A contract between a professional player and a club may only be terminated upon expiry of the term of the contract or by mutual agreement,” states Article 15 of the AIFFin its Regulation for RSTP rulebook.
What did Anwar want?
Anwar requested the federation to transfer his registration back to Delhi FC. Being a top Indian player, he didn’t want to be on loan for so long.
“At this stage in my career, I am not comfortable being a professional on loan for
such a long period as it is hampering my career prospects. Therefore, I have asked Delhi FC to reintegrate me and discuss my permanent transfer options within this transfer window so that I do not lose out on any opportunity to earn my livelihood to the best of my capabilities,” Anwar had written to AIFF’s registrations department.
How did Bagan react?
The termination notice naturally took aback Bagan who told the defender to join training with the senior team ahead of the ISL season.
One of our own now! ❤️💛#JoyEastBengal #Anwar2029 pic.twitter.com/4m2kH7Ah0r
— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) August 16, 2024
Anwar responded by telling the club he was “open to discussing a permanent transfer to Bagan” but with the club unwilling to get into negotiations for a permanent transfer since there were three years left on the original loan agreement, Anwar reportedly agreed terms with rivals East Bengal.
The AIFF then referred the dispute to its player status committee.
What did the Player Status Committee rule?
The AIFF Players’ Status Committee found the termination of the contract with Bagan ‘without a just cause’ after Bagan maintained that the move was illegal. A week later, the PSC granted the NOC to Anwar to sign with East Bengal FC, but he was warned to proceed at his own risk pending the final order. The following day, East Bengal registered Anwar on a five-year deal.
In their final decision on September 9, the PSC slapped East Bengal and Delhi FC with a two-window transfer ban, while Anwar, East Bengal, and Delhi FC were ordered to pay a compensation of Rs 12.9 crore to Mohun Bagan.
So how did Anwar play against Kerala Blasters?
On September 13, the Delhi High Court intervened and quashed the PSC’s order over a lack of detailed reasoning to the aggrieved parties and asked the PSC to revisit the proceedings.
Two days later, Anwar was given the NOC to play for East Bengal in the ISL.
Is the saga over?
Not quite. Anwar received the NOC, but it’s just a temporary relief. His future will be determined by a fresh verdict by the PSC expected by the end of the month.
