Goa police arrested AIFF Executive Committee member Deepak Sharma on Saturday for allegedly physically abusing two female players. Two Khad FC footballers from Himachal Pradesh who were competing in the Indian Women’s Football (IWL) League second division here said that Sharma, the club’s owner, barged into their room and physically abused them on March 28.
The players, Palak Verma and Ritika Thakur reported the event the next day, citing concerns about their safety. According to the complaint submitted to the AIFF, Deepak Sharma, the general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Football Association and the deputy chairman of the AIFF’s competitions committee, was allegedly inebriated at the time of the attack.
“AIFF executive committee member Deepak Sharma was called for questioning during the day after a formal complaint was received. He was arrested by Mapusa police under various sections, including causing hurt, and using force against women, among others,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Sandesh Chodankar told PTI.
“He will remain in custody for the night and will be produced in court on Sunday for remand,” said Mapusa police station inspector Shitakant Naik.
The players stated that Sharma was regularly intoxicated and even smuggled alcohol on the team’s trip from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi before the competition. The players also accused the team manager, Nandita Sharma, who is supposedly Deepak’s husband, of protecting him.
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