Anwar Ali Cleared to Play for East Bengal Following Receipt of No Objection Certificate

Indian defender Anwar Ali has been given the green light to play for East Bengal after receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Players Status Committee. The decision was made following a ruling by the Delhi High Court to rehear his case and overturn a previous suspension imposed by the AIFF. The PSC stated, "The player's subsequent conduct of signing with East Bengal FC be given effect to pursuant to Article 9.5 and the CRS be updated by treating this order as the requisite release letter/NOC." This development allows Anwar Ali to resume his professional football career with East Bengal.

The next hearing is slated for September 30.

On September 10, the AIFF had slapped a four-month suspension on Anwar, saying that he was "guilty" of terminating his contract with Mohun Bagan in an unjust manner.

In addition to the suspension, the AIFF sought a staggering compensation of Rs 12.90 crore from him, as well as from his parent club, Delhi FC, and East Bengal, where he had signed a five-year contract.

The Delhi High Court, however, intervened, and emphasised that the AIFF's decision lacked reasoning and failed to follow the principles of natural justice.

The court also criticised the federation for not allowing Anwar a fair opportunity to present his case and directed the AIFF to reconsider its ruling.

With the NOC, Anwar is now "free" to officially join East Bengal and participate in the ongoing Indian Super League.

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He will be available for their upcoming match against Kerala Blasters on September 22 as well as for the highly-anticipated Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan on October 19.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)