Fresh details reveal dual agreements, silent acceptance, and a looming registration problem ahead of the Champions League

Colombo – June 17, 2025:
The player registration controversy surrounding Mohamed Sahi has intensified, as newly uncovered information confirms the existence of two separate agreements signed by the player — one with New Star SC and another with Crystal Palace FC Gampola, both for the 2025/26 season.

The Timeline of Conflict

• On January 15, 2025, Mohamed Sahi received a release from his former club Eravur YSS, stating that he would be joining Crystal Palace FC.
• This release letter was shared via WhatsApp with Crystal Palace, but the original document was handed over to New Star SC, who then registered the player for the 2025/26 season based on a contract signed on January 16 for LKR 85,000.
• Later in February, Sahi went on to sign another contract — this time with Crystal Palace FC, reportedly for LKR 215,000, including two advance payments: LKR 35,000 and LKR 45,000 to his father’s account.

This sequence raises serious concerns about whether the player fully understood his obligations or whether both clubs failed to clarify the status of the original registration.

Crystal Palace Questions: Silence from New Star

Despite publicly announcing the signing of Mohamed Sahi on social media in February, New Star SC remained silent. No objections were raised until the issue surfaced during I League scrutiny.

This inaction has sparked public questions:

• Why didn’t New Star respond immediately if the player was already under contract with them?
• Was there an oversight, or did they expect the issue to resolve quietly?

I League vs Champions League Impact

While the situation has had no direct impact on the I League, given that New Star SC registered the player first and the I League is an invitational tournament not governed by the FFSL, Sahi only featured under New Star during the competition. However, the matter gains greater significance in the lead-up to the Sri Lanka Champions League, where both New Star SC and Crystal Palace FC are reported to have submitted player registrations for Mohamed Sahi, potentially triggering a registration conflict.

This raises the risk of:

• Duplicate entries under the same player ID
• Last-minute disqualifications or disputes
• Administrative confusion for tournament organizers

A Potential Settlement?

In an attempt to ease tensions, sources close to New Star SC have confirmed that Mohamed Sahi is willing to return the advance payment made by Crystal Palace FC to resolve the financial element of the issue amicably.

Final Word

While this incident is unlikely to influence the I League outcome, it exposes a flaw in inter-club communication and registration coordination. With the Champions League approaching, resolving these overlaps is essential to avoid technical complications or eligibility issues.

Conflicting agreements, advance payments, and dual registration raise serious concerns

The ongoing dispute over the registration of Mohamed Sahi for the I League 2025 has taken a new turn, as Crystal Palace FC Gampola has stepped forward with documentary evidence and a formal complaint to tournament organizers.

In an exclusive communication with Sri Lankan Sports TV, an official from Crystal Palace FC stated that:

Sahi signed a valid agreement with our club in February 2025, shortly after obtaining his release from Eravur YSS, specifically for the purpose of joining Crystal Palace FC. We were never informed about any subsequent agreement with New Star SC

Contract Details & Advance Payment

A copy of the player agreement signed between Mohamed Sahi and Crystal Palace FC reveals the following:

• Contract signed in February 2025
• Total contract value: Rs. 215,000
• Advance payment made: Rs. 75,000
• An agreement was signed in the presence of club representatives, binding the player to Crystal Palace FC for the 2025/26 season.

This challenges New Star SC’s claim that the player signed with them on January 16 for a yearly sum of Rs. 85,000, and raises questions about the player’s transparency in dealing with both clubs.

Complaint Filed with Organizers and FFSL

Crystal Palace FC has confirmed that they have submitted a written complaint to both the I League Organizing Committee and the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL). The complaint seeks an investigation into:

• Possible breach of contract
• Lack of notification from the player regarding dual signing
• Violation of the player registration protocol

They also question how the same player ID number may have been registered under two clubs — a concern that could reveal a technical or procedural flaw in the domestic player registration system.

Champions League Conflict Brewing?

While the I League 2025 may not be immediately impacted due to tournament scope and timing, both New Star SC and Crystal Palace FC have reportedly registered Mohamed Sahi for the upcoming Sri Lanka Champions League.

If both registrations are accepted under the same ID, it could escalate into a major eligibility issue, and the FFSL might be forced to intervene to resolve the conflict before the Champions League kicks off.

New Star’s Willingness to Resolve

Despite the brewing tension, New Star SC has indicated a willingness to resolve the financial dispute. A club official told Sri Lankan Sports TV:

Mohamed Sahi is prepared to return the Rs. 75,000 advance taken from Crystal Palace FC to settle the matter amicably.

Final Word

The case of Mohamed Sahi is now more than a transfer mix-up — it reflects deeper administrative and gaps in player monitoring and registrations . As Sri Lanka’s football structure aspires for professionalism, establishing a centralized, transparent player registration system is critical to avoid such dual-signing debacles.

Club Claims Legal Ownership of Player and Denies Any Tie with Crystal Palace FC Gampola

Colombo – June 16, 2025:

New Star Sports Club has issued an official clarification to Sri Lankan Sports TV in response to recent allegations raised over the eligibility of player Mohamed Sahi, who appeared for them in the ongoing I League 2025.

The controversy began when Crystal Palace FC Gampola claimed the player had been part of their club and was not officially released to play for another side. However, New Star SC has now provided a detailed counter-statement, presenting what they claim is a legitimate and documented timeline of events.

Timeline of the Transfer (According to New Star SC)

• January 15, 2025: Mohamed Sahi was officially released by his previous club Eravur YSS.
• January 16, 2025: He signed a one-year contract with New Star SC for the 2025/26 season for a fee of Rs. 85,000. annum.
• Following this, New Star SC completed the player’s registration for the I League 2025, adhering to the official player registration guidelines and transfer protocols.

Official Documents and Tournament Committee Approval

New Star SC further stated that all relevant documentation regarding Sahi’s release, contract, and registration was submitted to the I League Tournament Committee, and the player’s inclusion in the squad was formally approved before the tournament began.

The club emphasized that:

All documents were verified by the tournament organizers, and the player was approved to participate under New Star SC. There was no contractual or regulatory tie between Mohamed Sahi and Crystal Palace FC Gampola.

On Crystal Palace FC Allegations

Responding directly to the claims by Crystal Palace FC, New Star SC clarified that:

• Mohamed Sahi had only appeared in friendly and 7-a-side games for Crystal Palace, with no official registration or contract in place.
• Therefore, any claims of ownership or breach of agreement by Crystal Palace are factually incorrect and unsupported by documentation.

Regulatory Backing

As per the I League 2025 Competition Regulations (Sections 15–17), a player is deemed eligible if:

1. They are officially released by their previous club;

2. They are duly contracted and registered within the tournament’s registration window;

3. Their documentation is verified and approved by the Tournament Committee .

If these requirements were met — as New Star SC claims — then the player was legitimately registered.

What’s Next?

While this clarification from New Star SC provides a strong rebuttal to the allegations, it remains to be seen whether the I League Tournament Committee will issue a public statement or ruling to close the matter.