The All-India Football Federation imposed hefty monetary penalties on six I-League clubs that boycotted the season-ending Super Cup earlier this year.
The AIFF had initially fined Aizawl FC, Churchill Brothers, NEROCA FC, Gokulam Kerala, Minerva Punjab Rs. 10 lakh each. At the same time, it slapped Rs. 5 lakh fine on East Bengal. Mohun Bagan was spared as it had not registered for the competition.
But, on Saturday AIFF and its commercial partners, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), slapped a heftier fine of Rs 27.5 lakh on each of the six clubs for their "gross misconduct and in disciplinary acts."
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In a letter to the six clubs signed by AIFF disciplinary committee chairman Ushanath Banerjee claimed that these clubs they have incurred a total expense of Rs. 3,36,32569 for the 19 matches of the Super Cup, which equates to Rs. 17,70,135 per match.
These six clubs have been asked to bear the cost for the boycotted matches, in addition to the fine of Rs 10 lakh, amounting to a total fine of Rs 27.5 lakh. The original figure amounted to Rs. 27,70,135, but the AIFF waived them Rs. 20,135.
AIFF set June 30 deadline for clubs to pay the fine. The "AIFF would be at a liberty to consider disqualification of the club from participation in its next editions of competitions," if the fine is not paid.
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However, clubs are ready to take the legal route to counter AIFF's move. "We will be appealing the decision to the AIFF and take the legal route as well. We did not play because we wanted to meet the AIFF president to express our concerns. That did not happen and now we're being made to pay for it," an owner said on condition of anonymity.
The I-League clubs decided to boycott the Super Cup after their request to meet the AIFF president Praful Patel to discuss the league's future was not met.
