K-Electric fined for fielding English FA player

KARACHI: Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) disciplinary committee imposed a fine of 2000 dollars on K-Electric for fielding an England-based player in the 2016 AFC Cup playoff qualifiers held in Bhutan last year without getting International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

England-based Pakistani players Ifran Khan and Shani Abbasi had been fielded by K-Electric in the playoff qualifiers.

KE defeated Khoromkhon FC of Mongolia 1-0 and they held Bhutan’s Druk United FC 3-3 to make it to the playoff where they lost to Bahrain’s Al-Hidd early this year in Manama.

Both Irfan and Shani were released by KE before the playoff against Al-Hidd. A source in the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) told ‘The News’ on Friday that the actual objection was against Irfan’s participation in the qualifiers as he was registered with English FA and had played for different clubs in England.

“There was no problem with Shani,” the source said.

“K-Electric FC (PAK) is ordered to pay a fine of USD2,000 for violating Article 55 of the AFC Disciplinary Code 2014 Edition (Code) on two (2) occasions in the AFC Cup 2016 (Playoff Qualifiers),” the AFC said on Friday.

“The fine shall be settled within 30 days from the date that this decision is communicated in accordance with Article 15.3 of the Code. In accordance with Article 31 of the Code read together with Article 55.1 of the Code, victory shall be awarded to the following team with the score of 3-0: (1) Druk United FC of Bhutan for the match on 11 August 2015; and Khoromkhon FC of Mongolia for the match on 13 August 2015,” the AFC added.

“As Khoromkhon FC of Mongolia was ordered on 18 January 2016 to forfeit the match against K-Electric the match is declared null and void. K-Electric FC is informed that a repeat violation of these provisions will be met with more severe punishment,” the AFC added.

The PFF source added that KE had admitted the mistake and apologised. England-based coach Majid Shafiq was KE’s coach in the qualifiers.