The confusion surrounding Anelka's availability for the ISL should not have surfaced, certainly not when Fifa ... Read More

PANAJI: The confusion surrounding Nicolas Anelka 's availability for at least the opening game of the Indian Super League should not have surfaced, certainly not when Fifa had cleared doubts almost a fortnight ago.

According to a Fifa spokesperson, the governing body for world football wrote to the All India Football Federation on September 30 where they referred to article 12 para 1 of the Regulations on Status and Transfer of Players.

"According to the regulation, any disciplinary sanction of up to four matches or up to three months that has been imposed on a player by the former association but not yet (entirely) served by the time of the transfer shall be enforced by the new association at which the player has been registered in order for the sanction to be served at the domestic level.

"Since the suspension imposed on Nicolas Anelka by The Football Association had not been (fully) served before the international transfer of the said player to India ( Mumbai City FC) took place, the All India Football Federation shall enforce the relevant suspension," a Fifa spokesperson told TOI.

Even the FA, governing body for football in England, remained surprised that the France striker - banned for a 'quenelle' gesture during his time in the English Premier League last season - could have shockingly made an appearance in the ISL without serving out his ban.

"The player was issued a five-match ban and served the first two games of that ban whilst still a player in the UK. Now (that) he is a player in India, he will serve the remaining games," said a spokesperson for the FA Press Office.

After Mumbai City FC's opening loss against Atletico de Kolkata, coach Peter Reid had admitted that the franchise "originally planned to play him and then go to Fifa." He said they were still "trying to get clarification on the matter," but with Fifa now making it clear, Anelka will be available for selection only for Mumbai City's fourth game against Chennaiyin FC in Chennai on October 28.