After losing appeal, Churchill's focus must be on players future !

The doors have been slammed on Churchill. They have been bolted hard giving the owner of Churchill Brothers Sports Club little room to manoeuvre through. “ The appeals committee was the last body to appeal to as far as licensing was concerned. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has no more appeals body.

 The Appeals committee decision is final,  as far as the decision of the First Instance Body is concerned. Churchill can only appeal to the CAS (Centre for Arbritation on Sports) in Switzerland.” stated AIFF general secretary Kaushal Das in an exclusive interview to goalfest.

“Constitutionally there is no more recourse except for the CAS. I do not want to comment on any talk that is based on hearsay and not facts,” stated Das. “ The CAS is the last forum in sports. We have not received any appeal at the AIFF. Which committee ?,” asked Kaushal Das.

“Most of the players must have signed contracts that end on May 31. There may be other players who have signed longer than that. But , there must be some clause in the contract that could see the players out. There are some contracts that have a clause that releases players once a team is disbanded”, stated Mr Das when asked about what happens to players caught in a piquant situation like the ones in Churchill’s team are finding themselves in.

With Churchill utterances that he would file an appeal with the AIFF , players have found themselves in a quagmire of sorts. To be or not to be with Churchill? Where does their future lie ?  Do they have a future with Churchill Brothers Sports Club?

“ I have signed a contract with Churchill that extends  beyond May with the Club. But , it also states that if my two months salary is not paid, the contract is void.” Stated a player on Churchill’s roll ,looking for secure pastures now.”But what happens to the others? Churchill says he will fight an appeal but we do not know whether an appeal is allowed. The AIFF should come out with a whether an appeal can be filed ,” he added categorically.

“There is no system in place where the players can be looked after if Churchill disbands his team.  Unfortunately , there is no mechanism that has been worked. The AIFF cannot interfere in  a contract between a player and a club,”  pointed out Das when asked whether AIFF would or could step in to help players who fear being left in the lurch.

“ The AIFF can definitely intervene if a player or a club files an appeal regarding something about a contract. Most such cases are settled after mutual compromise between the two party’s. There are no hard or fast rules,” disclosed Das after prompts.

The AIFF are now clear on the options available to Churchill, his team and his players.  The road is pretty clear. There are no turns and twists . It is the future of the players that is crucial. It is the player who make sports. They have played their games for Churchill. Isn’t it time to stop playing games with them anymore?