AIFF Executive Committee to Question Delay in MRA Committee Formation

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive committee meeting on Saturday is expected to face questions regarding the delay in forming a crucial committee to study the master rights agreement (MRA) between AIFF and its commercial partners.

Approved on June 6, the committee was tasked with examining the MRA, signed in 2010 between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), before initiating discussions on its future. The MRA, which expires in December 2025, currently sees FSDL pay AIFF ₹50 crore annually.

At the previous executive committee meeting, members Avijit Paul, Anilkumar Prabhakaran, and Menla Ethenpa had requested the formation of the committee "at the earliest." Ethenpa, Prabhakaran, and Paul head the finance, competitions, and states' development committees, respectively.

Acting secretary-general Saytanarayan Muthyalu had also requested the president to form a committee to study the MRA conditions with legal input before meeting with FSDL. However, three executive committee members confirmed to HT that this has not yet happened.

Prabhakaran had emphasized the need to understand FSDL's stance on projects that AIFF could not pursue due to lack of funds. FSDL representative Rochak Langer had also expressed the company's willingness to discuss the way forward if a committee was formed.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey stated that the committee has been formed and that he will present his recommendations to the executive committee for approval on Saturday.

Meanwhile, an email sent to executive committee members on Wednesday accused Chaubey of misusing his position as AIFF president to influence an assembly by-election. The issue is likely to be raised in Saturday's meeting, which may also be attended by former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

Tags: #AIFF, #Football, #MRA, #FSDL, #ExecutiveCommittee