Amidst India’s suspension by the International Football Federation (FIFA), the Sports Ministry of the Indian Government has requested FIFA to allow Gokulam Kerala and ATK Mohun Bagan to play in their respective competitions.
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The Ministry implied the fact that the Kerala-based team is already in Uzbekistan during the suspension order was issued and hence they should be allowed to play in the interest of young players. Gokulam is scheduled to begin their campaign on Wednesday (23 August) while their next fixtures will take place on 26 August.
However, until the Sports Ministry receives a reply from FIFA, they will not be permitted to play either of the two group stage games. Whereas, ATK Mohun Bagan was set to start their campaign in the Intra Zone semi-finals of the AFC Cup on 7 September in Bahrain.
In the statement, the Sports Ministry also addressed that they are in constant contact with both clubs’ management for ensuring that they are aware of the situation and are safe.
The statement said, “In keeping with its athlete-first approach, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has reached out to both the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to allow Indian club sides, Sree Gokulam Kerala FC and ATK Mohun Bagan, compete in the tournaments as scheduled.”
“Before the FIFA suspension of AIFF was announced, Sree Gokulam Kerala FC had already reached Uzbekistan, ahead of its scheduled matches against a team from Iran on August 23 and one from the host nation on August 26 in the southern Uzbekistan city of Qarshi, while ATK Mohun Bagan is slated to play the AFC Cup 2022 (Inter-Zone semifinals) on September 7 in Bahrain.”
“In its email to FIFA and AFC, the Sports Ministry has highlighted the fact that Sree Gokulam Kerala FC was already in Uzbekistan when FIFA’s suspension of AIFF was announced. It has requested FIFA and AFC to therefore consider allowing the team to play in the AFC Women’s Club Championship (West region) in the interest of the young players. Meanwhile, the ministry has also reached out to the Indian embassy in Uzbekistan to extend assistance to the team in all possible ways. The ministry is also in constant touch with Gokulam team's management.”