Manipur Ethnic Conflict Jolts Football Clubs, Delhi HC Considers Relegation Appeal

Two football clubs from Imphal, NEROCA FC and TRAU FC, have petitioned the Delhi High Court against their relegation from the I-League by the AIFF, citing the impact of ethnic conflict in Manipur on their performance. The Delhi HC has issued a notice to AIFF, with the case set for hearing in September.

The ethnic conflict in Manipur since May last year has impacted the performance and mental fortitude of players, claim two Imphal-based football clubs in their petition to the Delhi High Court. They are contesting the national federation's (AIFF) decision to relegate them from the I-League.

Last month, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) relegated NEROCA FC and TRAU FC from the I-League after both clubs finished at the bottom of the 2023-24 season points table. NEROCA had 14 points, placing 12th, while TRAU ended at the 13th spot with 13 points.

Due to the situation in Manipur, NEROCA and TRAU were unable to play their home matches in Imphal. They played five of their home games in Kalyani, West Bengal, and the remaining seven in Shillong. The clubs had even requested to shift their away matches to neutral venues due to thousands of people from the conflicting ethnic community moving to Mizoram.

Both clubs eventually refused to travel to Aizawl to play their away matches, leading to the AIFF canceling the games. Despite a request by Manipur's Chief Minister N Biren Singh to exempt the teams from relegation due to ethnic conflict, the AIFF went ahead with the relegation decision. The clubs have now approached the Delhi HC, which has issued a notice to AIFF for a pending hearing on September 6.

The petitioners argue the AIFF's decision is arbitrary, not considering past performances and the critical societal backdrop preceding the qualifying matches. They further claim that the mental strain and operational struggles due to the communal disturbances severely impacted their performance, resulting in their bottom-tier standings.

The clubs assert the AIFF has a history of exemptions under similar circumstances and argue for parity in exemption. They contend that AIFF should have considered the unique prevailing circumstances before making a rigid relegation decision.

(With inputs from agencies.)