Footballer moves HC against AIFF barring him from practice due to rare health condition

A "brilliant" footballer who has represented India in international tournaments approached the Delhi High Court on Thursday challenging the All India Football Federation decision to bar him from practising with his club because of a rare heart condition. Advocate Amitabh Tewari and Abhimanyu Tewari, appearing for Ali, submitted that he has challenged a September 7 letter written by AIFF to Mohammedan Sporting Club of Kolkata directing it to not allow Ali to train with the team, thereby violating his fundamental right to earn his livelihood and practice his profession due to the diagnosis of a congenital heart condition called Apcial Hypercardio Myopathy. The counsel submitted that Ali can appear before All India Football Federation Sports Medical Committee, a standing committee of AIFF, and produce experts opinion and videos on his medical condition and the meeting shall convene in next 10 days and an intimation will be given to him. To this, Tewari said while the medical committee of AIFF is considering the case, Ali be allowed to re-join the team till then so that if the decision is taken in his favour, he is able to play.