Jobby Justin free to play for ATK

The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) player status committee decided that Jobby Justin is free to play for ISL side ATK, while it continues to deliberate on I-League champion Chennai City FC midfielder Nestor Gordillo's alleged pre-contract with FC Pune City.

Jobby Justin's case came to light after he had signed a contract with ATK, and East Bengal insisted that he had signed a contract with them as well.

The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) player status committee decided on Wednesday that Jobby Justin is free to play for Indian Super League (ISL) club ATK and that he was not contractually obligated to play for I-League side East Bengal.

Jobby's case came to light after he had signed a contract with ATK, and East Bengal insisted that he had signed a contract with them as well. However, since East Bengal did not have substantial evidence, the committee ruled in the player's favour.

“The committee is of the view that since East Bengal does not have a contract with Jobby Justin, the player is free to sign with ATK. East Bengal said the player had intended to sign a contract extension, but they do not have a proper contract in their possession, as he has not signed one,” a top placed official told 

Sportstar  on Wednesday.

“Technically, a player can sign a contract with a different club within six months of his current contract expiring. As per that, his contract signed with ATK is fine,” the official added.

 

Jobby Justin's letter to AIFF, which was sent in June: “This is in respect of my contract I signed with ATK for next three seasons commencing from the 2019-20 season. My contract with East Bengal ended on May 31 and I have not signed any other agreement relating to my professional career. I have been requesting my previous club East Bengal to issue NOC. “However, till date I have not received the same and as you are aware the registration window opens on June 9. I seek your intervention and request you to kindly look into the matter and provide justice to me.” “I had made this clear to Indian Football Association (IFA) during my meeting with them in April along with my agent. However, to my surprise and shock, I have seen a media article where IFA secretary arbitrary without taking into consideration statement by me is making statement to media that I have signed with East Bengal and should play for East Bengal. I say under oath that I have signed with ATK only and want to play for ATK only.”

 

 

The committee also discussed I-League champion Chennai City FC midfielder Nestor Gordillo's alleged pre-contract with ISL club FC Pune City.

“Chennai City has submitted all the documents and FC Pune City was asked to clarify their stance, but there has not been a proper submission from Pune City. There was no written submission from them today,” the official said.

“There is no breach of contract as of now. The committee will meet again and we will arrive at a decision soon,” the official added.