New Delhi, Hit by allegations of physical harassment against its executive member Deepak Sharma, the All India Football Federation on Wednesday approved and implemented the AIFF Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) policy with immediate effect.
The AIFF Executive Committee took the decision after deep deliberation and careful consideration, the federation said in a statement.
The AIFF PoSH Policy, which is based on the PoSH Act 2013, aims to ensure a safe and inclusive environment within the football community.
It has been prepared and vetted by the AIFF legal team.
The decision comes weeks after allegations of physical abuse were made against Sharma.The executive committee member, who is also the owner of Himachal Pradesh-based football club Khad FC, was accused by two female footballers of physically assaulting them while drunk on the night of March 28.
Following the incident, Sharma was arrested by the Goa Police and later released on bail.
In another case, a woman employee at the AIFF headquarters here had lodged a "verbal" complaint of "harassment" against a male colleague. However, the woman did not make any formal allegations.
Less than two years ago, the Alex Ambrose sexual harassment case that created a crisis in Indian football had also come to light.The incident came to light in July 2022 when Ambrose, the assistant head coach of the Indian Under-17 women's football team, was sacked for sexual misconduct by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), which is handling the day-to-day responsibilities of the Indian under-17 women's football team. Was. AIFF's affairs of the day at that time.
On the implementation of the policy, AIFF acting general secretary Satyanarayan said, "There was a great need for a POSH policy specifically for AIFF employees. We have drafted it by taking the policies as per the POSH Act 2013 and certain guidelines." Also involved other organizations and included them in our policy.“Our PoSH policy is designed in such a way that it can be changed and adapted as we move forward. Along with this, we also plan to hire an expert on PoSH policy, who will come in the year Will address this to our employees at least three times.
He said, “This is essential, especially for our junior and women's teams. We feel it is important for all stakeholders at various positions to be fully aware of the POSH policy."
The AIFF Executive Committee took the decision after deep deliberation and careful consideration, the federation said in a statement.
The AIFF PoSH Policy, which is based on the PoSH Act 2013, aims to ensure a safe and inclusive environment within the football community.
It has been prepared and vetted by the AIFF legal team.
The decision comes weeks after allegations of physical abuse were made against Sharma.The executive committee member, who is also the owner of Himachal Pradesh-based football club Khad FC, was accused by two female footballers of physically assaulting them while drunk on the night of March 28.
Following the incident, Sharma was arrested by the Goa Police and later released on bail.
In another case, a woman employee at the AIFF headquarters here had lodged a "verbal" complaint of "harassment" against a male colleague. However, the woman did not make any formal allegations.
Less than two years ago, the Alex Ambrose sexual harassment case that created a crisis in Indian football had also come to light.The incident came to light in July 2022 when Ambrose, the assistant head coach of the Indian Under-17 women's football team, was sacked for sexual misconduct by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), which is handling the day-to-day responsibilities of the Indian under-17 women's football team. Was. AIFF's affairs of the day at that time.
On the implementation of the policy, AIFF acting general secretary Satyanarayan said, "There was a great need for a POSH policy specifically for AIFF employees. We have drafted it by taking the policies as per the POSH Act 2013 and certain guidelines." Also involved other organizations and included them in our policy.“Our PoSH policy is designed in such a way that it can be changed and adapted as we move forward. Along with this, we also plan to hire an expert on PoSH policy, who will come in the year Will address this to our employees at least three times.
He said, “This is essential, especially for our junior and women's teams. We feel it is important for all stakeholders at various positions to be fully aware of the POSH policy."
