NAGPUR Academy Football Club (NAFC) has sent a legal notice to Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) after the football governing body of the district suspended the club. Through the legal notice NAFC sought explanation as to how the club is relegated (NDFA suspended the club) without any independent inquiry. NAFC President Abdul Rafique through Advocate MM Akhtar Jamal sent the notice to NDFA on August 24. NDFA banned NAFC, which plays in the Elite Division, after it allegedly used forged signature of NDFA honorary secretary Iqbal Kashmiri for getting no objection certificate to start an I-League team in Nagpur. NAFC alleged that Kashmiri “handled the matter very tactfully in a deceit manner with dishonest behaviour towards Rafique by convincing him to issue the letters assuring to close the issue.”

 

The notice also stated that Kashmiri has vested interest with certain clubs due to which Rafique is framed unnecessary.

The notice stated that Rafique accepted the “blame” for the sake of the Under-17 players. “No independent inquiry was conducted against my client, neither appropriate show cause notice was issued to my client. Further, the manner in which undated letter received on 26-05-2023 was issued relegating my client’s club Nagpur Academy Football Club from Elite Division to Super Division, and further dropping Under-17 team of my client is one heavy punishment without following principle of natural justice,” read the legal notice.

 

“Further, letter dated 03-06-2023 which was issued by your good office disaffiliating my client’s club has resulted in double punishment which (is) gross violation of law,” added the notice,” read the notice. The notice also demanded immediate action against the members of the association acting in vested interest. “Issue appropriate internal code of inquiry towards the member of the association acting in vested interest against the interest of the players, clubs. The notice also warned of taking appropriate legal action against members and NDFA. NDFA secretary general Stanley Gregory said that the association did not receive any letter so he could not comment. “We have not received any notice. Once we get it we would sit and decide on future course of action,” said Gregory.