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AI sack I-League player Nabeel, more to follow?
Staring relegation, Air India opted to trim their squad, sacking striker Dada Nabeel on Thursday. If sources are to be believed more players could join Nabeel as the institutional club looks to stay afloat.
Staring relegation, Air India opted to trim their squad, sacking striker Dada Nabeel on Thursday. If sources are to be believed more players could join Nabeel as the institutional club looks to stay afloat.
Confirming the sacking of Nabeel, an AI source said the Nabeel’s indiscipline and poor form were to blame. He added, that, “there is an external influence having a negative impact on the club” and, that more players could be dealt with in a similar manner. “Nabeel’s performances haven’t been good, and his indiscipline was having a negative impact on the team,” he said. “Nabeel’s sacking will also serve as a wake-up call to others following in his footsteps.”
The Karnataka striker, however, said he was a victim to the internal politics of the club. “I had asked to be released on March 6, and yet they didn’t give me my relieving letter for close to two months. Now, they’re saying I was undisciplined. Why didn’t they give me my relieving letter then?”
Nabeel reasons that he wasn’t released in March because the management didn’t want him to join any of the clubs competing in the second-division. “Since I asked to be released they wouldn’t even let me train with the club. I was training but I wasn’t allowed to play. They didn’t pay me for two months, and also stopped me from joining any other club.”
He added that he would seek the help of FPAI president Bhaichung Bhutia over the matter. However, Bhutia said, “Nabeel has approached the FPAI but nothing has been submitted in writing as yet.”
