The players’ status committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has imposed a two-window transfer ban on Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Pune City (FCPC) and a fine of ₹5 lakh for “inducing a breach of contract” to sign Spanish midfielder Nestor Gordillo from I-League champion Chennai City FC (CCFC) without paying the necessary transfer fee.
The committee also handed a four-month ban to Gordillo, who signed a “pre-contract” with the Pune club despite having a year left on his contract with CCFC.
The transfer ban is for the second registration period of the 2019-20 season (January 1 to Jan. 31, 2020) and the first registration period of the 2020-21 season whenever the dates of the same are announced by AIFF.
The Spaniard has been asked to pay a compensation of three months’ salary to the club and a fine of ₹50,000 to the AIFF.
FCPC was found misguiding the committee by providing wrong information in its defence. Commenting on the matter, CCFC owner Rohit Ramesh said: “Today’s verdict shows our stand is vindicated and justice has prevailed. FC Pune City consistently lied about their acts and they have been thoroughly exposed today. I hope this verdict is a lesson for the big teams to stop going behind the smaller clubs and do such deals.
“As a small I-League club, we take a lot of effort to identify and sign potential talents. One of our revenue streams is the transfers business and such acts affect the valuation of players.”
In its judgement, the committee, headed by Babu Mather, said: “The committee finds that, by signing the contract with FCPC, the player has breached his contract with CCFC. Moreover, since such breach is induced because of signing of a contract with the player by FCPC, it is considered to be an inducement to breach of such contract by FCPC.”
Spelling out Gordillo’s punishment, it added: “In light of the facts, circumstances and the Committee’s findings in the present case, and considering the position of law examined in this regard, this Committee finds that, Mr. Nestor Jesus Gordillo Benitez, the Player has breached the contract signed between Chennai City Football Club and the Player and hence, is under Article 21(1) of the AIFF RSTP, the Player is directed to serve a four-month ban from playing in any official matches organised by or under the aegis of AIFF from the date of communication of this decision. Moreover, the Player is directed to pay a one-time compensation amounting to 3 (three) months of the Player’s salary to CCFC along with a fine of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) to AIFF, both being payable within 15 (fifteen) days from the date of communication of this decision.”
Appeal
FCPC CEO Gaurav Modwel said the club would appeal the decision. “We are very disappointed and feel it is not the right decision as far as we are concerned. We are going to review it (the decision) with our lawyers and then decide the future course of action. Yes, we will appeal,” he said.
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