MUMBAI: Close on the heels of criminal proceedings being initiated by the All India Football Federation against Alex Ambrose, the sacked assistant coach of the under-17 Indian women’s team, for sexual misconduct, the AIFF’s head of scouting has served a legal notice on the national governing body.
Ambrose’s legal notice demands withdrawal of his termination letter dated July 2, and claims to have been “shocked and surprised” by the “reckless action” taken by the AIFF. The notice further claims that he was a “victim of malafide and ulterior motives and objects at the instance of and behest” of the AIFF. For the record, AIFF in the current scenario means the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators that is running the affairs of the federation.
It bears notingg that Ambrose held multiple positions in Indian football – he was the head coach of the women’s U-15 and U-19 teams, assistant coach of the women’s U-17 team and also the AIFF’s head of scouting. In addition to this, he’s also known to be a part of the football coaching units across several schools in Mumbai. He was also connected to a coaching center in the United Arab Emirates.
The Away End reports that in his legal notice, Ambrose has claimed that he was forced to admit to the alleged sexual misconduct under “fear, duress and coercion”. In it, he called his sacking “illegal, unlawful and unjust”.
Ambrose was sacked by the AIFF after allegations of sexual misconduct involving one of the players of the U-17 women’s team while it was on an exposure tour of Italy and Norway.
Following the incident, coach Thomas Dennerby, the team manager and the physiotherapist had one-on-one sessions with each member of the team and prepared a report that was submitted to the federation. AIFF took the decision to terminate Ambrose’ contract after receiving the report from the team’s management.
The Away End further reports that Ambrose, in his letter, claims the news of the incident has “brutally tarnished and destroyed” his image and reputation and he reserves the right to take legal recourse against the federation.
Ambrose also mentioned that he fears AIFF, with all its influence, will level “false and frivolous charges” against him.
He maintained that he was innocent and will defend himself against the charges levied on him, while asking for his services to be restored.
