Hyderabad: Ex-India football captain Shabbir Ali suspended by Telangana Football Association

The Telangana Football Association has suspended former India captain Shabbir Ali for one year over alleged disciplinary violations and actions deemed detrimental to the association. The decision followed complaints involving coaching eligibility, communication protocol and attendance at an unauthorised meeting

Hyderabad: The Telangana Football Association (TFA) has decided to suspend former India captain and Dhyan Chand Awardee Shabbir Ali, President of Abbas Union Football Club, for a period of one year following a series of activities and actions considered detrimental to the interests, discipline, reputation  and functioning of the Association.

The decision was taken after deliberations in the TFA Executive Committee Meeting, Technical Committee Meeting, and General Body Meeting. The suspension was imposed basing on the disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Association, according to TFA Secretary G Palguna.

---

The TFA Secretary informed that at the time of his appointment as Coach for Telangana Santosh Trophy team Shabbir Ali informed thems that he possessed an AFC B License certificate as per AIFF Guidelines. “Based on the information provided by him, we appointed him as the Coach for the Telangana team,” he said.

“However, subsequently, during the Santosh Trophy held in Bengaluru, the AIFF did not permit him to act as the Coach for the match, as he did not possess an AFC B License certificate,” Palguna said.

“In order to ensure that the Telangana team could participate in the match without any disruption, we immediately requested the Secretary of the Karnataka Football Association to arrange an eligible coach for the Telangana team. Accordingly, the Bengaluru Football Association appointed a coach from Bengaluru to accompany and manage the Telangana team for the match. Then he requested us to protect his reputation then TFA has requested AIFF to change his post from coach to Manager in place of Palam Acharjee,” he explained.

The TFA official also said that despite repeated reminders Shabbir Ali had bypassed the established communication channels of TFA and directly approached Government officials and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) administration without following the prescribed protocol.

“The Association also took note of an earlier incident involving Mr. Palam Acharjee, former Chairman of the TFA Coaches Committee. It was brought to the Association’s notice that Shabbir Ali had influenced and provoked him to write a letter against TFA to the AIFF. And the same copy was circulated by Mr. Shabbir Ali to the AIFF President and Secretary in an EC Meeting of AIFF,” he said. “Subsequently, Mr. Palam Acharjee submitted an apology letter to the Association,” he added.

“Through an official letter dated 30-03-2026, the Secretary of Abbas Union FC specifically requested TFA not to entertain any correspondence from individuals other than the Club Secretary. The letter clearly stated that all official correspondence on behalf of the club should be routed exclusively through its Secretary and that no other individual should be entertained in this regard,” Palguna explained.

“Shabbir Ali attended on 7-10-2026 an unauthorised meeting at Olympic Bhavan, which was conducted against the interests and established procedures of the TFA,” he said.

“On coming to know about this, the TFA issued a communication through its official WhatsApp groups, informing all affiliated clubs, departments, and academies not to participate in the said meeting. The Association also cautioned that disciplinary action would be initiated against any club or individual violating these instructions,” the TFA Secretary said.

“Despite the Association’s clear instructions Shabbir Ali proceeded to attend the said meeting. Then, the TFA initiated disciplinary proceedings and issued a show-cause notice dated 08-10-2026 to the Secretary of Abbas Union FC, seeking an explanation regarding the matter,” he said.

“The Club Secretary submitted a reply dated 15-10-2026. The Association subsequently communicated its response and clarification regarding their letter on 17-10-2026. The Club Secretary later withdrew the letter submitted on 15-10-2026,” Palguna said.