Xtra Time Web Desk: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Friday allowed Anwar Ali to resume his career at competitive level but asked him to produce an affidavit claiming full responsibility. The decision was taken at the executive committee meeting of AIFF which was chaired by President Praful Patel.
The 21-year-old Ali, one of the breakout stars from the U-17 World Cup in India. The talented footballer was barred from playing competitive football by the Federation in 2019 after he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition called Apcial Hypercardio Myopathy (HCM).
Ali took the AIFF to the Delhi High Court which ruled in his favour. Also the chairman of England Football Association’s cardiology consensus panel and the lead cardiologist for the London Olympics has said the junior India international should be allowed to play competitive football as long as he “understands the risks” and “is under regular surveillance by an expert team.”
“Based on the recommendation of the AIFF medical committee, the executive committee have asked former junior Indian International Anwar Ali to produce an affidavit claiming full responsibility, along with details of the medical precautions to be taken by him, and his prospective club to make him eligible to play competitive football,” the AIFF said in a statement after its executive committee meeting.
Last year, Ali had filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court against the AIFF “recommendation” that he should not be allowed to play professionally, as it would put his health at risk.
Ali had argued that his “right to livelihood” cannot be taken away and his lawyer also cited certain procedural lapses by the AIFF.