Indian football legend and former captain Sunil Chhetri has urged young players to stay away from controversies while praising centre-back Anwar Ali as a key player for the national team.
Chhetri’s comments came in the wake of Anwar’s four-month ban by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) over a contract dispute.
“I don’t know exactly what happened. Just purely on Anwar, because I love him and he knows it, he’s one of the assets of the national team. I would want him to stay away from controversies as much as possible,” Chhetri told PTI in an exclusive interview.
Anwar was recently banned for terminating his contract with Mohun Bagan and signing with East Bengal, prompting AIFF to seek Rs 12.90 crore in compensation.
However, a Delhi High Court directive allowed him to return to Mohun Bagan after being issued a No Objection Certificate.
Chhetri, while not commenting on the specifics of the situation, advised all players, especially younger ones, to avoid such issues.
“I’ve called him and I’ve told him. All the national team boys, especially the ones who are upcoming and young, I want them to stay away from controversies as much as possible,” he added.
Anwar Ali’s story is of Full of Heart and Comebacks, literally.
Being the main breadwinner of family from a small-town to making the U-17 WC is a Herculean Feat.
Later when he was diagnosed with HCM, he still came out on top like a warrior, just like how he has been for the NT! pic.twitter.com/4FDkI1C67U
— Hussain (@Hussainov1ch) June 19, 2023
Anwar was recently banned for terminating his contract with Mohun Bagan and signing with East Bengal, prompting AIFF to seek Rs 12.90 crore in compensation.
However, a Delhi High Court directive allowed him to return to Mohun Bagan after being issued a No Objection Certificate.
Chhetri, while not commenting on the specifics of the situation, advised all players, especially younger ones, to avoid such issues. “I’ve called him and I’ve told him. All the national team boys, especially the ones who are upcoming and young, I want them to stay away from controversies as much as possible,” he added.