AIFF fined USD 18,000 for spectator invasion

NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was on Monday fined USD 18,000 by the continental governing body for spectator invasion during its national team’s Asian Cup qualifying round matches against Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Kolkata in June.

But, the bulk of the amount – USD 13,500 – is a suspended fine to be paid in case of repeat offence within two years. The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) imposed USD 8,000 fine on the AIFF after one home spectator invaded the India team’s technical bench – a restricted area – during the Afghanistan match.

“AIFF is ordered to pay a fine of USD 3,000 for violating Art. 65.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code ... USD 2,250 of the amount ... is suspended for a probationary period of two years,” the ruling said relating to the first part of the offence.

The AFC said that the unsuspended portion of the fine – USD 750 – shall be settled within 90 days from the date of the communication of the decision. For the second part of the offence, the AFC committee ordered the AIFF to pay a fine of USD 5,000, out of which USD 3,750 is suspended for a probationary period of two years. The unsuspended portion of the fine – USD 1250 – shall be settled within 90 days from the date of decision.

Two Indian spectators invaded the field of play and the home team’s technical bench during the Hong Kong match. The committee fined the AIFF USD 5000 each for two parts of the offence, out of which USD 3750 each was suspended for a probationary period of two years.