ILNS: The Delhi High Court on Monday has issued notice on the plea seeking directions to suspend the Senior Division Boys’ Football League 2020-2021 in wake of rise of COVID-19 cases in the capital.
A Single-Judge bench comprising of Justice Prathiba M. Singh has issued direction to file status report to Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) with regards to suspension of the Senior Division Boys’ Football League (2020-2021).
The petitioner also sought directions to ensure the formulation of a standard operating procedure including creation of bio-bubbles prior to commencement of tournament.
The petition was filed by the Hindustan Football Club as there has been a surge of COVID cases in the capital.
It was submitted that in the present facts and circumstances and the rising number of coronavirus cases, the Delhi Soccer Association has announced the impugned event without due application of mind and without taking appropriate precautions.
The Delhi Soccer Association has not released any standard operating procedure for ensuring that the players and supporting staff are adequately protected from infection. It was argued that the same is in violation of the fundamental right of life and liberty.
Furthermore, the petitioners submitted that the impugned event is in the teeth of the circular dated 02.04.2021, issued by All India Football Federation 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.
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It was submitted that a similar incident took place in 2020, when several events were cancelled and/or abandoned in the middle which caused huge losses to the Petitioner and other clubs.