The development comes after the BMC General Body recently approved a proposal to change the 8,450-square-metre plot’s reservation from a playground to an exhibition and convention centre. The decision had faced strong opposition from Mumbai’s football fraternity, residents and activists, who argued that the ground is an important part of the city’s sporting ecosystem.

The Mumbai Football Association (MFA) had approached the High Court challenging the proposed change, arguing that losing the venue would seriously affect football in the city. The association has highlighted the ground’s importance for organised football, with the facility hosting hundreds of clubs, youth players and competitions every year.

The controversy intensified after the BMC approved the reservation change despite an earlier assurance given before the High Court that no decision would be taken before the matter was heard. The court expressed concern over the handling of that undertaking and has now ordered the civic body to keep further action on the proposal on hold.

The BMC, meanwhile, has maintained that the proposal originated from MHADA, which pointed to the site’s original planning history. According to civic officials, the land was earmarked for a convention complex under the Bandra Reclamation layout approved in 1983, although it was subsequently marked as a playground and has been used extensively for football.

The proposed conversion has also attracted political opposition, with representatives from Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) calling for the ground to remain dedicated to sports and recreation. Footballers, residents and supporters have also held protests urging authorities to preserve the facility.

For Mumbai’s football community, the High Court’s intervention provides temporary relief in a battle that has become much bigger than one football ground. Neville D’Souza Ground has long served as an important playing and development space for footballers across the city, and its future has now become a key issue in the wider debate over protecting Mumbai’s shrinking sporting and open spaces.

The matter will continue before the Bombay High Court, with the court having directed that no further steps be taken regarding the proposed reservation change until further orders.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Bombay HC Puts Hold on BMC’s Move to Change Neville D’Souza Ground Reservation appeared first on Football Counter.

Did the linesman flag the third Iron Born ‘goal’ for offside? Yes. Did the referee consult the linesman? No.

Chaotic scenes followed as the referee sent off Sebastian’s Alex Peters for unruly behavior. Was that the correct decision? Yes. The fiasco was a blot on the game. The referees and officials refused to comment. They maintained that the decision to award the goal was legitimate.

For the record (no pun intended!) Troy Nunes scored for Sebastian in the 5th and 11th minutes. Armasah Ansari and Hrishikesh Balaji scored in the 36th and 59th minutes respectively for Iron Born.

The officials or Sebastian? You decide who is in the right!

Also Read: Jamal helps Railway snatch draw from jaws of defeat

Also Read: Singh stunner sends Sellebrity packing

The post Super Division: Iron Born-Sebastian game called off post off-side fiasco appeared first on Football Counter.

Aaditya Thackeray’s tweet

The MDFA President took on Twitter to announce the news. The football turf is named Neville D’Souza, an Indian Football legend, who represented India in the Summer Olympics of 1956. Neville, later in that Olympics, became the first Asian to score a hat-trick in an Olympic Games. D’Souza finished the tournament as joint top-scorer, with 4 goals in 3 games. At club level, he played for Bombay.

The Aerial view of the new Football Turf

The post Neville D’Souza Football Turf as good as ready, confirms Aaditya Thackeray appeared first on Football Counter.