India Team AMBA FC left for France on 8th June 2023. After arrival, CDG Airport Paris, a transport vehicle was not available to take them to St. Tropez, the venue where the Nations Cup was held. As a result, the team could not participate in the tournament and had to return to India without playing any matches.
TFM Investigation
All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) has initiated an inquiry into the allegation of fraud involving two individuals who had allegedly collected large sums of money in the name of “AMBA FC” representing India in the Nations Cup in Paris, France. A probe panel has been constituted headed by former acting chairman of the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and senior advocate Khaidem Mani Singh.
The probe was initiated following a complaint lodged by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee President and MLA K Meghachandra with the Manipur Police against two persons, namely, Kangjam Birendra Singh (68) of Haobam Marak Kangjam Leikai and Y. Kiran Singh (47) of Hiyangthang near Kumari Lampak. FIR-NO.-71982023-IMPHAL-PS
According to Meghachandra’s complaint, Birendra and Y Kiran organizers of AMBA FC had allegedly approached him to participate in the Nations Cup, a football tournament scheduled to be held from June 6th to 11th 2023 in France. He deposited Rs. 2 Lakhs in April and another Rs. 2 Lakhs on 5th May, 2023 to take part in the event.
Later, the MLA decided to withdraw from the team and communicated the same to the so called AMBA FC May 6. He asked them to refund the deposited amount of Rs 4 lakh. However, they refused despite his repeated requests and even ignored his calls, Meghachandra claimed, urging the police to take legal action against them.
Following the complaint, the police registered an FIR for criminal breach of trust, cheating dishonesty under Sections 153-A, 153-B and 505 of IPC. During their probe, it was revealed that Birendra and Y. Kiran Singh do not have any connection with AMBA FC, police sources said. None of them were cooperating with the police in the investigation, the police added.
However, Birendra and Y Kiran have maintained that by the time Meghachandra notified them of his decision to withdraw, AMBA FC had sent a sum of RS 9,11,900 to the organizer on 18th April 2023 through SBI, Imphal Branch. They also claimed that AMBA FC had applied for VISAs online on 28th May 2023 and got them on 7th June 2023.
India Team AMBA FC left for France on 8th June 2023 but after reaching, CDG Airport Paris, a transport vehicle was not available to take them to St. Tropez, the venue where the Nations Cup was held. As a result, the team could not participate in the tournament and had to return to India without playing any matches, claimed a source.
The investigation has revealed that there are no records to show how the team was selected. It is not evident if AMBA had organized any meeting or passed any resolution towards the constituting of the football team. It is also not clear if AMBA FC is in any way related to the functioning of AMBA or it is merely an association of members from AMBA who are interested in competitive football.
Further, there is nothing on record to identify who are the official members of AMBA FC. However, it has been conjectured that the General Secretary of AMBA knew the team was participating in the Nations Cup.