The AIFF is looking for ways to override IFA's decision regarding Abinash Ruidas contract dispute

THE DISPUTE BETWEEN East Bengal and Abinash Ruidas has prompted the All India Football Federation to contemplate ways to override the jurisdiction of Indian Football Association (West Bengal).

The dispute arose from East Bengal's claim that Ruidas is contracted with them for 2 more years, while Ruidas asserts that he is a free agent. East Bengal produced contract papers allegedly signed by Ruidas to back their claim, while Ruidas accused East Bengal of forging his signature and signed up for the ISL Draft where he was picked up by Mumbai City FC.

The IFA, which oversees football in West Bengal, called for two meetings to work out a solution, which East Bengal representatives attended but Ruidas did not. As a result, IFA ruled that Ruidas must register with East Bengal, and sent the contract papers to a handwriting expert for signature verification.

Meanwhile, the AIFF had formed a 6 member committee to look into the matter, on the basis of the complaint filed by Ruidas. It seems the Indian FA is not happy with the West Bengal FA's decision in favour of East Bengal, and in the Special Committee's first meeting they discussed whether they can overrule IFA's decision rather than contemplating who is telling the truth; Ruidas or East Bengal.

The press release regarding the meeting said,

"The AIFF Special Committee met at the AIFF Football House today (August 3, 2017) to deliberate on the jurisdiction issues relating to the player transfer vis-à-vis state association and the parent body as also the appropriate committee to look into such issues including disputes.

The Committee appointed Mr. Ushanath Banerjee as the Chairman of the Special Committee. The Committee reviewed the AIFF Constitution, AIFF Regulations on the status and transfer of player as well as the FIFA Regulations on the status and transfer of player extensively.

The Committee entrusted the Chairman to make a detailed and reasoned paper based on the review of the rules and regulations as mentioned above for consideration of the members for a decision thereafter."

Meanwhile, the IFA is also holding a meeting today, which is expected to proceed with their investigation into the matter further.

This has the potential to create a major standoff between AIFF and IFA, over who has the primary jurisdiction when it comes to such matters. 

Mumbai City FC, the ISL franchise that picked up Ruidas from the Draft, is strangely silent in this whole matter. As per IFA sources, they have not even applied for the player's transfer from the local association as is the norm when it comes to moving a player from one state to another, which is why they are not being considered as a party with a claim over the player's services.

It goes without saying that the AIFF does not agree with IFA's perspective over whether or not Mumbai City FC have a claim over Ruidas.

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