The All India Football Federation (AIFF) took swift action on Tuesday and suspended Deepak Sharma, an executive committee member, following allegations of assaulting and misbehaving with two women footballers during the Indian Women’s League 2 in Goa.
Deepak Sharma, also the owner of Himachal Pradesh-based Khad FC, was accused by two players of the club of barging into their room and physically assaulting them on the night of March 28.
The AIFF Executive Committee responded by suspending Deepak Sharma from all football-related activities until further notice.
Goa Police had arrested Sharma on Saturday, with charges filed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint and sexual harassment.
In a complaint letter reported by The Indian Express, the players detailed the alleged assault, claiming Sharma, purportedly intoxicated, intruded into their rooms and assaulted them.
They further accused Deepak Sharma of consuming alcohol in their presence during their journey from Himachal to Delhi and during their stay in Goa.
The AIFF dissolved the three-member committee initially formed to investigate the incident, instead referring the matter to its Disciplinary Committee for further action.
The AIFF president, Kalyan Chaubey, emphasised the federation’s commitment to promoting women’s football in a safe environment, stating that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure justice and support for the complainants.
Chaubey highlighted the efforts of the AIFF in developing women’s football, citing an increase in registered female players and recent successes in international competitions.
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