I.M. Vijayan fined

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH 26. All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not taken a lenient view on the breach of discipline by footballer I.M. Vijayan. The star Indian striker, it may be recalled, played for a Dhaka team without the prior intimation or NOC from the AIFF.

Vijayan played for Mukta Joddha prior to the start of the current edition of the National Football League (NFL) before returning to play for FC Kochin.

AIFF disciplinary committee headed by Hardev Jadeja and comprising L.R. Natarajan (TN), Rakesh Bakshi (Chandigarh) and M.M. Mohan Raj (Karnataka) after summoning the player himself, Mr. P.V. Paul, president of the FC Kochin and Mr. G. Sugunan, hon. secretary of the Kerala Football Association, for a detailed meeting today at the SAI Centre here, decided to impose a fine of Rs. 50,000 on the player. With the pre-World Cup qualifiers to be held in Bangalore on April 8, 15 and May 20, the committee did not deem it right to punish the player any further.

Vijayan, however, has been given 15 days to appeal to the AIFF.

Vijayan sounded innocent on the issue and having taken to celluloid career alongside his footballing priorities the penalty imposed on him does not seem severe. Vijayan is entitled to represent his club, State and country for all engagements.

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