Air India scrapped from MFL, fined Rs3 lakh

Defending champions Air India (AI) have been scrapped from this year’s Mumbai Football League (elite division), and have been slapped a hefty fine of Rs3 lakh, Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) general secretary Souter Vaz informed.

The decision comes after Air India failed to turn up for their MFL matches against Mumbai Customs and Union Bank on March 20 and 23 respectively, and remained non-committal for their remaining two matches against Central Railway and Mumbai FC.

AI had cited ‘injury to a dozen players and the ongoing I-League season (in which they lie in the relegation zone)’ as the reasons.

“Their action cannot be justified so, it was decided in the executive committee meeting that they have been scrapped from the league this season and will pay a fine of Rs3 lakh,” Vaz told DNA, adding that they have the right to appeal against the decision.