AIFF closes probe into alleged physical assault of women footballers following Deepak Sharma’s suspension

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) declared on April 3 that it has closed the investigation into the suspended executive committee member Deepak Sharma regarding the verbal complaint of harassment. The allegations of physically assaulting made by two women footballers in Goa. The AIFF’s internal complaints cited the lack of willingness from both the alleged victim and the other party to continue the investigation. So, the investigation was terminated.

“Don’t wish to pursue the matter any further”, women said.

The decision came a day after an announcement that the AIFF had suspended Deepak Sharma until further notice following his arrest in the alleged physical assault of two women footballers of Khad FC.

“The ICC would not be in a position to continue the investigation as any complaint and/or further information regarding the alleged incident has been denied by the concerned individuals. In view of the above, the investigation was concluded as withdrawn”,  the AIFF said in the statement.

 

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Last week the board issued a statement which read, “The AIFF was formally notified by players from Khad FC, participating in the IWL 2 in Goa, of certain incidents of alleged physical assault and harassment on them on Friday, March 29, 2024. In light of these allegations, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey called an emergent meeting of senior members of the AIFF to take stock of the situation and determine the next steps."

 

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The incident involved two footballers Palak Verma and Ritika Thakur from Khad FC which was owned by Sharma. They accused Sharma of physical assault on March 28 during the Indian Women’s Football (IWL) League second division.  

 

The two complained to the AIFF competitions committee by saying, “Yesterday (Thursday), as the dinner was over, we went to our rooms to boil eggs. Due to this reason, he got offended and stormed into our room. He slapped us, assaulted us physically".

 

Meanwhile, Deepak denied the allegations and admitted that he lambasted the two players because they got eggs from outside around 11 PM. 

“It is all baseless. Someone is trying to provoke them and create an issue out of nothing. She just got eggs from outside around 11 PM. I just scolded her over timings. It was a small issue,” Deepak said in an exclusive conversation with India Today. 

 

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