Odafa issued showcause by AIFF

Just when Mohun Bagan thought that things couldn’t get any worse, there is some more trouble in store for the Kolkatan giants. Days after issuing a 2 year ban on Mohun Bagan, All India Football Federation (AIFF) has issued a showcause notice to their star striker Odafa Okolie.

There is nothing new in the New Year for the Kolkatan giants, as problems extravagate with The Indian Football Association has issued a showcause notice to the Bagan forward, Odafa Okolie demanding a just explanation as to why the Nigerian must escape any action beyond the automatic suspension for his aggressive behavior in the Kolkata derby against arch rivals East Bengal on 9^th December 2012 at the Salt Lake stadium.

The Nigerian was sent off in the violence ridden Derby for improper conduct, given he had foul words mouthed at the referee as he thought the referee was biased to the home side, with a lot of decisions going against the visitors. If the East Bengal goal was cause for the mayhem, the Odafa sending off was what sparked off the reaction.

Odafa was shown the red card by referee Vishnu Chauhan for clear evident misconduct which led to violent actions by the Bagan supporters, following which saw one of India’s brightest talents being rushed to the hospital, having been hit by a missile thrown on the ground. Following the incident, AIFF has showcaused Odafa asking him to explain his behavior and why a stern action should avoid him. The striker has a timeframe of upto 7^th January to reply.

“The AIFF felt that Odafa’s misbehaviour with the referee required strict action. Also, it acted as a kind of provocation for the crowd in a high-intensity clash. He has been given seven days to reply,” I-League chief executive officer Sunando Dhar told The Telegraph in an exclusive chat.

The showcause comes as a precautionary measure from the parent body for Football in the country, keeping in mind the possibility of Bagan seeking legal action, moving to the court.

AIFF earlier on 29^th December had given a ruling against Bagan, slapping a ban of 2 years on the Kolkatan giants having been found guilty of breaching the code of the I-League regulations.