Female Footballers Allege Physical Assault by AIFF Official, Demand Action

Two female footballers from Khad FC, a club in the Indian Women’s League 2, have filed a complaint against Deepak Sharma, an executive committee member of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), alleging physical assault. They urged the authorities to take prompt action, fearing for their own safety.

The incident, which occurred at a Goa hotel during the ongoing league, prompted the players to report the matter to the AIFF’s competitions committee on Friday. Sharma, also the general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Football Association, stands accused of assaulting the players in their hotel room on Thursday.

According to the players' complaint, Sharma barged into their rooms while they were boiling eggs after dinner and proceeded to physically assault them. They further alleged that Sharma was intoxicated and had alcohol with him during the team's travel from Himachal Pradesh to Goa for the league. “I have just seen the complaint copy and am rushing to see the team at the hotel. Such things cannot be tolerated. The AIFF will deal with this accordingly,” said the AIFF women's football committee chairperson.

One of the footballers has also alleged that Deepak Sharma's wife, who also serves as the club's manager, pressured them to withdraw their complaint. In response to the complaint, the Goa Football Association has taken steps to ensure the players' safety; including lodging a police complaint and forwarding the matter to the AIFF for further action. Deepak Sharma has been summoned for questioning by the Mapusa police station based on the GFA's complaint.​