Football Federation Closes Investigation Into Alleged Assault Of Women Players

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th April. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Wednesday that it has closed the investigation into Deepak Sharma, a suspended executive committee member, regarding the alleged physical assault of two women players in Goa. The women involved have decided not to pursue the matter any further.

This decision comes after Sharma was suspended by the AIFF until further notice.

In a statement, the AIFF explained that its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) conducted an investigation but could not proceed further as the alleged victims and the other party involved did not want to pursue the matter any longer.

Due to the lack of cooperation from the individuals involved, the investigation was terminated, according to the AIFF.

Two footballers from Khad FC in Himachal Pradesh, participating in the Indian Women’s Football League second division, had accused Sharma, the club owner, of entering their room and physically assaulting them on March 28. Sharma was instructed by the AIFF to refrain from football-related activities until the investigation was completed. He was arrested by the Goa police and later released on bail.

The AIFF’s Emergency Committee, consisting of president Kalyan Chaubey, vice-president NA Haris, and treasurer Kipa Ajay, reviewed the complaints against Sharma from the players on Monday.

Following a meeting with AIFF member associations, Sharma was briefly heard before being asked to leave. The players had reported feeling fearful for their safety due to Sharma’s alleged behavior while intoxicated.

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also urged the AIFF to take swift and decisive legal action against Sharma.

On Tuesday, the AIFF disbanded the three-member committee established on March 30 to investigate the incident and referred the case to its Disciplinary Committee for further action.