The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday asked its executive committee member Deepak Sharma not to participate in match-related activities pending a panel probe into his alleged assault on two women footballers in Goa Finish. Two footballers from Himachal Pradesh’s Khad FC, who play in the second tier of the Indian Women’s Football League (IWL), claimed that club owner Sharma broke into their home on the night of March 28 room and physically assaulted them. They lodged a complaint with the AIFF Competition Committee and the Goa Football Association (GFA), which hosted the event, and also with the Mapusa police station based on the complaint of the two women footballers.

Two players said in their complaint that Sharma was drunk most of the time and that they were “in fear of their lives,” according to sources.

Earlier in the day, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur asked the AIFF to take “swift” and “strong legal action” against the official.

The AIFF did not suspend Sharma, who is also the general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Football Association and is also the owner of the Himachal Pradesh Football Association and a member of the executive committee of the national football association.

“Khad FC players participating in IWL Goa 2 have formally informed the AIFF that certain incidents of alleged physical assault and harassment took place against them on March 29,” the AIFF said in a press release after an emergency meeting of senior members. .

“The AIFF President has directed the committee to submit a report within seven days. Meanwhile, Mr. Deepak Sharma, who was allegedly involved in the unfortunate incident, has been directed to stay back and avoid all football-related activities till Conclusion of the committee process.

“AIFF is also working with the players concerned to ensure their safe return home.” The committee consists of executive committee member Pinky Bompal Magar, AIFF safety and child protection officers Rita Jairath and Vijay Bali.

Thakur took the incident seriously and said the safety of the players was the top priority of the sports department.

“The Ministry of Sports has taken serious notice of an official’s alleged physical assault on female footballers during the Indian Women’s League in Goa,” he tweeted.

“The AIFF has been directed to take swift action to ensure the safety of our football players. The department has also directed the AIFF to take strong legal action and inform the department of the actions taken. The safety of the players is our top priority.” PTI PDS AM PDS AM AM