Senior Division Boys' Football League 2020-2021 postponed amid covid: Delhi Soccer Association informs HC

Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) on Friday informed the Delhi High Court that it has decided to postpone the Senior Division Boys' Football League 2020-2021 as of now in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital.

The counsel appearing for DSA said that they are postponing the league and will make a decision in June regarding the resumption of the league.

A single-judge bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh disposed of the plea directing the orgser to take a decision of standard of procedure and creation of bio bubble prior to resumption of the league.

The petition filed by Hindustan Football Club through advocates Ashim Shridhar, Niyati Patwardhan and Shashi Pratap Singh was seeking direction to suspend the Senior Division Boys' Football League 2020-2021 in wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the national capital.

The petitioner has sought direction to the respondents' Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, All India Football Federation and others to ensure the formulation of a standard operating procedure including the creation of bio-bubbles prior to commencement of the tournament.

The Senior Division Boys' Football League 2020-2021, being orgsed by DSA, is slated to commence from April 15.

The Club submitted that in the present facts and circumstances and the rising number of coronavirus cases, the Delhi Soccer Association has announced the event without due application of mind and without taking appropriate precautions and also it has not released any standard operating procedure for ensuring that the players and supporting staff are adequately protected from infection.

"The same is in violation of the fundamental right of life and liberty," the petition said.

"Furthermore, the impugned event is in the teeth of the circular dated 02.04.2021 issued by Respondent No. 2 (AIFF) wherein it has been specifically stated that due to the spike of the coronavirus cases, no youth leagues ought to be held in states including Delhi," it added.

"If the impugned event is permitted to be held in the present circumstances and during the peak of the prevailing pandemic the same would amount to violation of the fundamental right to life as guaranteed Under Article 21 of the Constitution," the petition said.

According to the petition, Hindustan Football Club is the leading football clubs in India, established in 1948, and has consistently been engaged in ethical football practices including promotion of the sport.

Delhi Soccer Association on Monday informed the Delhi High Court that it has postponed Senior Division Boys' Football League 2020-2021 to April 18 and they are holding a meeting on various issues including the creation of a bio bubble during the tournament.

( With inputs from ANI )