THE AIFF APPEALS COMMITTEE has rejected an appeal filed by attacking midfielder Nestor Gordillo against the 4 month suspension and fine handed to him back in August.
Chennai City FC had filed a complaint with the Committee alleging that Nestor, who still had a year left on his contract with them, had breached the terms of agreement by signing a pre-contract with FC Pune City without getting prior approval from his current club.
The Committee, after hearing all parties concerned, ruled in favour of CCFC and handed a two-window transfer ban on Pune City FC along with a fine of Rs 5 lakhs, while Nestor got a 4 month suspension plus a fine of 3 months' salary to be paid to Chennai City and Rs 50,000 to be paid to AIFF.
Afterwards, Pune City shut down and sold their ISL franchise spot which led to the birth of Hyderabad FC; on whom the transfer ban did not apply. Most Pune City players, along with Nestor, also moved to Hyderabad FC.
But due to the suspension Nestor has not been able to play this season. His ban expires next month. But to ensure a quicker comeback and avoid paying the fines, Nestor filed an appeal.
But the Appeals Committee bench, which included Saurabh Kirpal, Tamal Mukherjee and Nikhil Rohtagi, ruled to uphold the decision of the Player Status Committee.
The ruling said,
"Pursuant to detailed submissions filed by parties in the matter and perusal of the same, along with the underlying reasoned decision of the AIFF Player Status Committee, appeal dismissed."
Hyderabad FC have had a rough start to their debut season. After 4 matches they have just 3 points from a solitary win and they're one place above bottom-placed Chennaiyin FC.
Chennai City, meanwhile, are preparing to appear in the AFC Champions League Qualifiers early next year, and their campaign in I-League begins on 1st December when they take on newly promoted TRAU.