Mumbai, Sept 8: With Mahindras reportedly away in Chennai, the Western India Football Association (WIFA) Super Division League sub-committee were unable to take a decision on the raging Salim Ansari controversy, today.The meeting assumed farcical proportions with the abseentism of Income-Tax the side who filed the protest against Mahindras fielding goalkeeper Ansaribefore the Inter-State transfer was effected.With Wali Mohammad, WIFA assistant secretary, reportedly outstation, Shahazabad Shah, chairman of Super Division sub-committee, informed the press after the meeting that Mahindras are sticking to their stand that WIFA assistant secretary had allowed them to play Ansari. He added that the sub-committee will ask Mohammad to provide a written statement permitting Mahindras to play Ansari. Mahindras coach SS Hakim, however, attended the meeting. Speaking to The Indian Express he said: ``The transfer papers were sent to AIFF by Ansari and WIFA permitted us to play him. Why were objections raised after solong?''
The sub-committee, however, took a decision on Shahid Iqbal who plays for Union Bank of India. His transfer from a rival Nagpur body was not cleared by the district body. The Super Division committee have allowed Iqbal to continue playing in the Super Division. The sub-committee will meet again on Sept 13.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.