The All India Football Federation (AIFF) suspended Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Paul after the tragic death of Dempo striker Cristiano Junior, while the young custodian claimed innocence saying he had no intention to hurt the Brazilian.
In a faxed message to the Indian Football Association, the AIFF said it has suspended Paul with immediate effect from yesterday, IFA secretary Subrata Dutta said on Wednesday.
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Stating that IFA has already forwarded the letter to Paul's club, Dutta said, "AIFF's disciplinary committee will hold a meeting after getting Paul's explanation alongwith the reports of the referee and the match commissioner. Then a decision will be taken on the matter."
Meanwhile, Paul who returned to Kolkata along with his teammates late last night, claimed innocence saying: "I never intended to hurt him, but only went for the ball."
"I'm also feeling terribly shocked after his death," he said but questioned the logic behind his suspension.
"What crime have I committed so as to face such punishment?"
His club, however, asked the Federation to clarify the reason of imposing the suspension on the player, pointing out that Paul was never booked or warned by the referee S M Balu during the match in Bangalore.
"We will send AIFF's letter to the goalkeeper, but only after receiving the Federation's reply to our query," Bagan assistant secretary Balaram Chowdhury said.