The legal battle over Indian defender Anwar Ali’s controversial transfer from Mohun Bagan Super Giant to East Bengal has taken another turn, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspending proceedings for five months.
The international arbitration body has instructed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to resolve the dispute through its internal judicial committees within the specified period.
A three-member CAS panel issued the order on Tuesday, allowing the AIFF’s Player Status Committee (PSC) and Appeals Committee (AC) to complete their proceedings before international arbitration resumes.
“The panel concludes that the proceedings before CAS will be suspended for a period of five months following the issuance of this order to allow the AIFF player’ status committee (PSC) and/or AIFF appeals committee (AC) decision(s) to be made expeditiously, with related grounds provided to the parties.”
However, Mohun Bagan will retain the right to return to CAS if the federation fails to deliver a final decision within the deadline or if the club wishes to challenge the domestic outcome.
The controversy began in August 2024 when Anwar terminated his agreement with Mohun Bagan and signed a five-year contract with arch-rivals East Bengal.
Mohun Bagan claimed the defender had ended his contract without just cause during the protected period, violating AIFF transfer regulations.
Anwar’s previous arrangement was a four-year tripartite loan agreement involving Mohun Bagan, Delhi FC and the player, running from June 2023 to May 2027.
In September 2024, the AIFF Player Status Committee imposed a four-month suspension on Anwar and handed two-window transfer bans to East Bengal and Delhi FC.
The committee also ordered the player and both clubs to pay Mohun Bagan ₹12.9 crore in compensation.
However, the Delhi High Court stayed the ruling and directed the AIFF Appeals Committee to reconsider the case, extending the dispute.
A senior Mohun Bagan official, quoted by the Times of India, welcomed CAS’s decision to preserve the club’s legal options.
“The panel has expressly protected the club’s right to return to the same panel if the AIFF fails to deliver a final decision within the stipulated period. In such circumstances, CAS will resume the proceedings and adjudicate the entire dispute de novo, including the merits and Bagan’s claims for compensation.”
For now, the focus returns to the AIFF, which must complete its judicial process within five months.
The CAS proceedings remain suspended rather than closed, with the final decision on legal costs also pending until the conclusion of the case.
