I-League 2018: 'Sanctions imposed on Ranjit Bajaj without any hearing,' claims wife and co-owner of Minerva Punjab Henna Singh

What’s the story?

I-League champions Minerva Punjab suffered a huge blow after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) decided to impose a stadium ban on owner Ranjit Bajaj, who had allegedly hurled racial abuses at a referee.

Now, his fellow club director and wife Henna Singh has lashed out at the AIFF, saying that her husband has been wrongly been reprimanded. Henna, who is also Bajaj's wife, even went on to state that the latter did not even get a proper trial before the ban. A fine was also slapped slapped on Ranjit with utter disregard.

In case you didn’t know…

Minerva Punjab have had one of their best seasons in the top flight, as they finished ahead of traditional giants like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, clinching the title. However, dark clouds soon began hovering over Minerva, as the AIFF ruled that Bajaj has been found guilty of racially abusing a Referee at a Youth League play-off match against Aizawl FC.

He was thereby suspended by the All India Football Federation and a hefty fine of Rs. 10 lakh was slapped upon him, which he will have to pay within 10 days of receiving communication of this decision.

Bajaj, however, has entirely denied the allegation of hurling racial abuses. The Disciplinary Committee of AIFF claims this to be the fourth offence committed by Bajaj within a year and has thereby taken such strict action.

The heart of the matter

It did not take long for Henna to come out all guns blazing in support of her fellow club owner, Ranjit. She even alleges foul play by various 'powers' who are finding it difficult to cope with Minerva Punjab FC and their resurgence to the top.

When the powers that be can’t take the thought of @Minerva_AFC winning its fourth title this season and there are vested interests to disrupt the success of a small but compelling club which is shaking up their foundations, they find ingenious ways to put a spoke in your wheel

— Henna Singh (@Hennasing) May 14, 2018

She has been extremely sarcastic in some of the tweets, openly countering all the claims single-handedly.

Apparently media is already in possession of an 11 page report (which we haven’t seen) which seems to have been prepared overnight in less than 12 HRs, wonder when they got so efficient?

— Henna Singh (@Hennasing) May 14, 2018

Oh nothing, just the biggest sanction and fine in Indian history was imposed on @Minerva_AFC within a matter of hours, without any hearing or investigation, taking identical copy pasted reports of match officials as the gospel truth! Same old, what’s new with you?

— Henna Singh (@Hennasing) May 14, 2018

Also when they currently owe us close to 70 lakhs, it only makes sense to fine us atleast an even 10 lakhs!

— Henna Singh (@Hennasing) May 14, 2018

The Minerva co-owner also went on to question how Bajaj can be biased against Northeastern players, when half the people in the club are from that region of the country.

Most disturbed by these allegations of racism, anyone who knows @THE_RanjitBajaj knows that he loves and respects all communities, 50% of our club staff and Minerva boys are form the northeast! What lengths can they go to with these lies? Shocked, Disgusted and appalled!

— Henna Singh (@Hennasing) May 14, 2018

What’s next?

As part of this ban, Bajaj will not be allowed to enter a stadium or even be part of any football activity under the AIFF for that matter unless there is a change of plans and the suspension is lifted. Minerva will be appealing the decision.

Author’s take

There is absolutely no scope for racism in football. Having said that, we need to take into account the different sides of the story. If Henna's claims that Bajaj did not even get a proper trial are true, then these allegations against AIFF need to be looked into as well.