Shivajians scratched by the PDFA

However, on Tuesday, Shivajians replying to the showcause notice failed to produce Indian nationality status of Nelson Po and Himanshu Upadhaya who were found to be from Myanmar and Nepal respectively. Instead, Thon Pau and Dal Pau, among the four on whom doubts were cast, were verified and found to be Indians from Manipur.

Confirmation of Nelson’s nationality was made by his college (Spicer College) and later verified by the Foreigner’s Branch of Pune Police. Himanshu, was confirmed to be a Nepali by his college Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce.

Having failed to abide by the rules, the PDFA executive committee, which met on Tuesday decided to `scratch’ Shivajians from the Super League — based on the stipulation by the Western India Football Association (WIFA).

The rule states: The member DFA’s (District Football Association’s) are expressly informed that under the rules of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), no foreign nationals can play in any football tournament or championship held by and under the AIFF and its member associations and their affiliated and member units and associations unless they obtain international transfer from FIFA and the No Objection Certificate from the national football association of the country of their origin.

To obtain this international transfer the foreign national will have to apply to the honorary secretary of the AIFF, giving full details of their nationality and residential address in India and in the country of their origin, their playing status under the national football association of the country of their origin along with a transfer fee of Rs 15,000, if they intend to play for top class teams in India or Rs 5000 if they are students intending to play in lower level teams in India.

You are requested to note that this regulation has to be positively followed in India and that violation of the same is viewed very seriously and strictly by the AIFF.

The PDFA keeping in mind the players’ loss, Shivajians also incurred a monetary fine of Rs 5000, but escaped suspension. The erring club would be compelled to pay the fine immediately to avoid being debarred from tournaments next season.

As far as Nelson and Himanshu are concerned, the PDFA have imposed an invariable ban on playing in any PDFA tournaments hence.

However, with Shivajians being scratched, the committee is yet to reach a verdict of the I-Division League winner and is expected to give its decision within the week, following an official reply from the state body whom the PDFA have approached for intervention in an unforeseen situation.