The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday asked its executive committee member Deepak Sharma to refrain from game-related activities until the conclusion of a panel inquiry into his alleged physical assault on two women footballers in Goa. Two footballers of Himachal Pradesh’s Khad FC, who participated in the second division of the Indian Women’s Football (IWL) League, had alleged that Sharma, the club’s owner, barged into their room and physically assaulted them on the night of 28 March. They filed a complaint with the AIFF competition committee and the Goa Football Association (GFA), which hosted the tournament, also filed a complaint with the Mapusa police station based on the complaint of the two women footballers.
According to sources, the two players said in the complaint that Sharma was in an inebriated state most of the time and that they were “afraid for their lives”.
Earlier in the day, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur asked the AIFF to take “swift” and “strong legal action” against the official.
The AIFF stopped short of suspending Sharma, who besides being the club’s owner and a member of the national federation’s executive committee, is also the general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Football Association.
“The AIFF was formally informed on March 29 by players of Khad FC, who participated in the IWL 2 in Goa, about certain incidents of alleged physical violence and intimidation,” the AIFF said in a press release after a meeting of its senior members. .
“The AIFF president has directed the committee to submit a report within seven days. In the meantime, Mr Deepak Sharma, who was allegedly involved in the unfortunate incident, has been directed to step back and refrain from participating in any football-related activities until the conclusion of the commission’s process.
“The AIFF is also working with the concerned players to ensure their safe return home.” The committee consists of Executive Committee Member Pinky Bompal Magar, AIFF’s Safety and Child Safeguarding Officer Rita Jairath and Vijay Bali.
Thakur took serious note of the incident and said that safety and security of players is the top priority for the Sports Ministry.
“The Sports Ministry has taken serious note of an alleged physical assault on women footballers by an official during the ongoing Indian Women’s League in Goa,” he tweeted.
“AIFF has been directed to take swift action and ensure the safety of our footballers. The Ministry has further directed AIFF to take strong legal action and inform the Ministry of the actions taken. The safety and security of players is our highest priority. priority.” PTI PDS AM PDS AM AM
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