16 January,2013 09:47 AM IST | | IANS
The AIFF's executive committee, presided by president Praful Patel, took the decision.
"The executive committee, after due deliberation, decided that Mohun Bagan will continue to play in the current season, but they will lose all the 12 points they have earned so far in the league. They will start with zero points and will have to pay Rs 2 crore as fine," Patel said.
"There is a penal provision under which the quantum of damages will be decided by the executive committee," he added.
The I-League's core committee had banned Mohun Bagan for two years for refusing to come out after the first half against arch-rivals East Bengal in an I-League fixture.u00a0
Anjan Mitra, Mohun Bagan secretary, thanked the AIFF for resolving what could have been a major crisis in Indian football.
"A crisis in Indian football has been averted. We are grateful to the AIFF that they gave us a patient hearing and took the decision keeping in mind the welfare of Indian football," Mitra said. The massive reprieve for the club comes at a heavy cost. Beside the Rs 2 crore fine, no official from Bagan will be allowed to represent the club in AIFF or I-League meetings this year.
Mohun Bagan will have to pay the fine before their next match.
Rapped on the knuckles
>> No official from the historic club will be allowed to represent the club in AIFF or I-League meetings this year. They have also been asked to provide an undertaking that they will never again breach the rules or get involved in an act of indisciplineu00a0