Six suspended U-18 players along with coach Mohan Das take part in I-League 2nd Division

Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Mumbai City FC have come under the scanner after their reserve side fielded six suspended players during their I-League second division match against ARA FC on January 25. The players were handed suspension for physical assault during a previous match. Meanwhile, Coach Mohan Das who remains suspended also took his place in the dugout. 

Earlier, the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) Disciplinary Committee had suspended 10 Mumbai City players, namely Mohammed Kaif Khan, Twain Fernandes, Aayush Kumar, Keith D’Souza, Wilsh D’Souza, Vishal Mali, Aman Dubey, Pratham Ghatnur, Karsten D’Souza and Ashley Koli, along with goalkeeper coach Abdul Qadeer, physio Jay Singh, coach Mohan Das, and assistant coach Suprith Jathana for abusing, humiliating and physically assaulting the match official, assistant referee Umesh Patel during an elite division clash between the Islanders and Karnatak SA. 

However, six of the disputed ten players consisting of Mohammed Kaif, Twain Fernandes, Aayush Kumar, Keith D'Souza, Pratham Ghantur, Karsten D’Souza along with coach Das were seen playing in their 2nd Division League encounter against ARA FC.

According to a report by Goal.com, MDFA had notified its parent body Western India Football Association (WIFA) about the suspension, but the state association sat upon it for reasons best known to them. It did not forward the matter to the All India Football Federation. They also did not call for a hearing until January 25, which eventually did not take place for reasons unknown. 

Souter Vaz, Chairman of MDFA's Disciplinary Committee, told Goal.com, said,"The All India Football Federation (AIFF) must take notice of this. They directly contact the clubs and the registration is done according to the list sent by the club concerned. AIFF does not do any background check that whether the players are eligible or not or do they have any disciplinary action against them."

He added that Mumbai City had appealed against the decision to the Western India Football Association (WIFA) and their hearing was scheduled to take place on Saturday but it also did not take place.

He said that they cannot jump the horse as they have to follow protocol. So unless WIFA sends MDFA their decision, they cannot take the matter to AIFF. 

But the AIFF cannot take suo moto action and unless the state association puts in a written request to the federation to put the ban even on national competitions, the governing body cannot do much.