Ruidas’ MCFC move under cloud

The governing body of the sport in Bengal in its initial ruling on Thursday upheld East Bengal’s claim that the player is contracted with it.

With the ISL and the I-League slated to be played concurrently this year, the controversy over Ruidas assumes significance. (Representative Image)

The talented midfielder from the city, Abinash Ruidas, who was picked up by Mumbai City FC in the recent ISL players’ draft may find his transfer bid in deep waters following a decision by the Indian Football Association (IFA).

The governing body of the sport in Bengal in its initial ruling on Thursday upheld East Bengal’s claim that the player is contracted with it. The matter has been referred to the disciplinary committee, which will take the final call on the issue.

The IFA Secretary Utpal Ganguli said that based on initial findings it is apparent that Abinash Ruidas is still a footballer with East Bengal. Ruidas, who had in the previous season also turned out for Atletico De Kolkata in the ISL, had approached the IFA seeking a clearance to play for MCFC but East Bengal went against it saying the player was still contracted with it. With the ISL and the I-League slated to be played concurrently this year, the controversy over Ruidas assumes significance.

The IFA follows the traditional system of assigning a ‘token’ to each player who signs for a club in the local transfers. “As per the token furnished by the club, Ruidas is with East Bengal. But the player has also alleged that his signature on a purported contract has been fudged by the club. Hence we have decided to forward the case to the disciplinary committee of IFA,” the secretary said.

“It is now on the disciplinary committee to determine the genuineness of the claims. Anyone who is found to be on the erring side will be penalised,” said Mr. Ganguli.