Published: November 9, 2026 at 10:01 pm
The infighting in the Telangana Football Association (TFA) has come to a head with the football body suspending former India football captain Shabbir Ali and State Bank of India’s ES Shyam.
“The TFA has decided to suspend 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,” says a TFA release sent by secretary GP Palguna.
“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,” says the release.
Shabbir Ali is in Kuala Lumpur as the head of the delegation for the India Under-17 football team for the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup 2027 (qualifiers).
Shabbir Ali appointed head of delegation for AFC Under-17 Asian Cup qualifiers
The release also outlines the six reasons leading to the decision of suspending Shabbir Ali.
Activities against the association and tarnishing its reputation:
Abbas Union FC is an affiliated club of the Telangana Football Association and participates in the A Division Rahim League. Shabbir Ali previously served as a coach under TFA for more than five years. Subsequently, when the association decided to provide opportunities to young and qualified coaches holding the requisite coaching licences, he was not continued in the coaching role.
At the time of his appointment as coach for Telangana Santosh Trophy team, he informed that he possessed an AFC B License certificate as per AIFF Guidelines. Based on the information provided by him, he was appointed coach for the Telangana team.
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.
In order to ensure that the Telangana team could participate in the match without any disruption, the secretary of the Karnataka Football Association was requested 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 Shabbir requested us to protect his reputation and TFA had requested AIFF to change his post from coach to manager in place of Palam Acharjee.
Shabbir acted against TFA interests
The association has observed several activities and actions by him that it considers contrary to the interests of TFA and aimed at damaging the reputation of the Association.
Violation of official communication protocol: Despite repeated reminders, Shabbir Ali has 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.
Provoking a former TFA committee chairman to write against the association: The association also took note of an earlier incident involving 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 Shabbir Ali to the AIFF president and secretary in an EC meeting of AIFF Subsequently, Acharjee submitted an apology letter to the TFA.
Official communication from Abbas Union FC: Through an official letter dated 30-03-2026, 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.
Attended an unauthorised meeting at Olympic Bhavan: On 07-10-2026 at 6 pm, Shabbir Ali attended an unauthorised meeting at Olympic Bhavan, which was conducted against the interests and established procedures of the Telangana Football Association. Upon learning about the meeting in advance 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. Despite the association’s clear instructions, Shabbir Ali proceeded to attend the said meeting.
Show-cause notice and subsequent correspondence: Following the above incidents, 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. 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. All relevant evidence was taken into consideration during the disciplinary proceedings.
Shyam too suspended for a year
The TFA has also suspended State Bank of India’s ES Shyam for a period of one year. Shyam had served as a coach for the Telangana state football team for nearly five years and during that period the TFA had provided him with opportunities and responsibilities.
“However, when the TFA decided to provide opportunities to other young and emerging coaches as part of its efforts to encourage new talent, Shyam allegedly began engaging in activities detrimental to the interests and reputation of the TFA,” says a letter written by TFA president to the chief general manager, SBI.
The letter signed by president Dr Mohd Ali Rafath has asked the SBI to initiate appropriate departmental action against Shyam.
