Football

PT Usha, the esteemed president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has raised grave concerns regarding the conduct of All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey. Usha alleges that Chaubey has "impersonated as the acting CEO of the IOA" and issued an "unauthorised agenda" for the Special General Meeting (SGM).Bhaichung Bhutia, a legendary former India forward, has expressed his dismay over the situation, stating that the credibility of the AIFF has plummeted under Chaubey's leadership. Bhutia believes that Chaubey's actions have damaged the reputation of the IOA as well."I feel sorry for PT Usha ma'am and the IOA," Bhutia said. "We have all seen what Kalyan Chaubey has done to the football federation. The credibility of the federation has taken a huge hit during his tenure."Bhutia highlighted a series of questionable decisions made by Chaubey, including withdrawing India's bid to host the Asia Cup and awarding it to Saudi Arabia, as well as moving the Santosh Trophy to Saudi Arabia. He also criticized Chaubey's comments about North Eastern players being too short."These are all very dumb statements that he's making," Bhutia said. "He's already ruined the Football Federation, and now he's trying to damage the Indian Olympic Association as well."Usha's allegations stem from a circular issued by Chaubey on official IOA letterhead, listing 26 agenda items for the SGM to be held on October 25. One of the items was a vote of no confidence against Usha, and Chaubey signed the circular as IOA's joint secretary and acting CEO. However, Usha maintains that Chaubey does not hold the acting CEO's post.Bhutia believes that Chaubey should step down from his position and call for elections in light of the corruption allegations that have surfaced."You have a lawyer (Nilanjan Bhattacharjee) of the federation accusing him of corruption; you have the former general secretary (Shaji Prabhakaran), who was appointed by you and then removed within a couple of months, putting serious accusations on the president," Bhutia said. "When you have those kinds of allegations, it's time to step down, accept the new constitutions, and call the elections."The AIFF's former principal legal advisor, Nilanjan Bhattacharjee, has previously made serious "corruption allegations" against Chaubey. In a letter addressed to PM Narendra Modi, Bhattacharjee raised concerns about Chaubey's non-transparent tender process, preferential allotment of tenders, and attempts to "syphon off money from the federation's exchequer." Bhattacharjee's contract was later terminated by Chaubey.

Former Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri has expressed his support for defender Anwar Ali, who recently faced a four-month ban for contract violations. Chhetri urged players to avoid controversies and focus on their performance.Ali's ban stemmed from his termination of a contract with Mohun Bagan and subsequent signing with East Bengal. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) deemed his actions unjust and imposed a ban along with a compensation demand of Rs 12.90 crore.Despite the controversy, Chhetri believes Ali is a valuable asset to the national team. "He's one of the assets of the national team. I would want him to stay away from controversies as much as possible," Chhetri said.Chhetri emphasized the importance of avoiding distractions for young players. "All the national team boys, especially the ones who are upcoming and young, I want them to stay away from controversies as much as possible," he said.Chhetri also discussed his retirement from international football in June. He admitted to missing the game but is still adjusting to his new life. "It's not been nice, I miss it," he said.Chhetri expressed confidence in India head coach Manolo Marquez's ability to balance his roles with the national team and FC Goa. "He'll be able to handle it," he said. "He will know exactly what team to pick."Chhetri shared his experiences of fatherhood with fellow athlete Virat Kohli. "We talk a lot about kids, that's a common topic now," he said. However, they have not yet discussed post-retirement plans.Chhetri remains committed to playing in the Indian Super League as long as he can contribute to his club, Bengaluru FC. "As long as I'm enjoying, as long as I'm adding value to the club, I'm here," he said.

Anwar Ali Cleared to Play for East Bengal After AIFF Reverses SuspensionIndian defender Anwar Ali has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Players Status Committee, allowing him to officially join East Bengal. This decision comes after the Delhi High Court ordered a rehearing of Ali's case, overturning a previous four-month suspension imposed by the AIFF.The AIFF had initially suspended Ali for allegedly terminating his contract with Mohun Bagan in an unjust manner. The federation also sought a hefty compensation of Rs 12.90 crore from Ali, Delhi FC, and East Bengal. However, the Delhi High Court intervened, criticizing the AIFF's decision for lacking reasoning and failing to follow principles of natural justice.The court directed the AIFF to reconsider its ruling, and the Players Status Committee has now granted Ali the NOC. This means that Ali is now free to join East Bengal and participate in the ongoing Indian Super League. He will be available for their upcoming match against Kerala Blasters on September 22 and the highly-anticipated Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan on October 19.Ali's suspension had been a major setback for both the player and East Bengal. The defender is a key member of the Indian national team and has been a consistent performer for East Bengal in the past. His return to the team will provide a significant boost to their title aspirations.The AIFF's decision to reverse Ali's suspension is a positive step towards ensuring fairness and transparency in Indian football. It also highlights the importance of due process and the right to a fair hearing for players.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed Santosh Kashyap as the new head coach of the national senior women's team, replacing former international player Chaoba Devi. Kashyap's first assignment will be the SAFF Women's Championships to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 17 to 30.Kashyap, a former India international, brings almost a decade of coaching experience in the I-League, having managed clubs like Mohun Bagan, Aizawl FC, and Mumbai FC. The 58-year-old has also served as assistant coach of NorthEast United FC and Odisha FC in the Indian Super League.Kashyap will be assisted by Priya PV and Raghuvir Pravin Khanolkar as goalkeeper coach. "Coaching the National Team is always an honor," said Kashyap. "I am grateful to the AIFF President, Shri Kalyan Chaubey, the technical committee, the technical department, and other senior members of the federation for providing me the opportunity to coach the senior national women's team."Kashyap expressed confidence in the current squad, stating, "I have full faith in the current set of players in the team. They are all bright players. But what we require to improve is technically. I am confident that I can give the needed input to the team members during the national camp."Regarding the SAFF Women's Championships, Kashyap said, "I am aware that our result in the previous SAFF Championship didn't meet the expectations. But this time, with the right tactics, approach, and decision-making ability, we can regain the title.""Football has become an extremely competitive sport, especially at the international level. So, we shouldn't take any team lightly. SAFF is only the first step. Thereafter, I have a bigger plan in mind. I am sure, this team is capable of delivering the goods."

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, alleging threats to the life and property of its president, Kalyan Chaubey. The complaint was lodged at the Dwarka Sector 23 police station on Thursday, September 15, 2023.According to the complaint, the AIFF office received an anonymous call on September 10, 2023, threatening the safety of Chaubey and his family. The caller allegedly made specific threats to harm Chaubey and his property."Delhi Police has received a complaint at Dwarka Sector 23 police station and are conducting an inquiry," a senior police officer told PTI.The AIFF has been embroiled in controversies in recent months. Former secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran was sacked, and Chaubey has faced accusations of corruption from the federation's former legal head.Chaubey, who was elected as AIFF president in September 2022, has denied the charges.The AIFF's complaint comes amid heightened concerns about the safety of sports officials in India. In recent years, there have been several incidents of violence and threats against sports administrators.The Delhi Police is investigating the complaint and has assured the AIFF of its full cooperation. The federation has also taken steps to enhance security measures at its office and for Chaubey and his family.The AIFF is hopeful that the police will apprehend the individuals responsible for the threats and bring them to justice. The federation is committed to ensuring the safety of its officials and will continue to cooperate with the authorities in their investigation.

India Defender Anwar Ali, East Bengal, and Delhi FC Challenge AIFF SuspensionIndia defender Anwar Ali, along with his current club East Bengal and parent club Delhi FC, have filed a writ petition with the Delhi High Court challenging the four-month suspension imposed on the player by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The suspension stems from Anwar's alleged "illegal termination" of his four-year contract with Mohun Bagan.The AIFF's Players Status Committee found Anwar guilty of breaching his contract and ordered him, East Bengal, and Delhi FC to pay a hefty compensation of Rs 12.90 crore to Mohun Bagan. The compensation includes Rs 8.40 crore for the residual value of the contract, Rs 2 crore paid to Delhi FC under a loan agreement, and Rs 2.50 crore for other damages.Delhi FC owner Ranjit Bajaj expressed concern over the suspension, stating that it would deprive Anwar of valuable playing time. "How can we let the player lose out on matches in the coming days? You can get money back, but you can't get the matches back once they are played," he said.East Bengal's top official, Debabrata Sarkar, echoed Bajaj's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of Anwar's participation in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL). "We have approached the Delhi HC to ensure that Anwar can play until the AIFF's Appeals Committee makes a decision on the matter," Sarkar said. "The player's career should not be affected at all cost."The AIFF's Players Status Committee also banned East Bengal and Delhi FC from registering players for two transfer windows for their involvement in Anwar's contract breach. The committee ruled that all three parties are jointly liable for the compensation amount.Anwar's transfer to East Bengal sparked controversy in Kolkata, with Mohun Bagan challenging the move and filing a complaint with the AIFF. The 23-year-old defender played a crucial role in Mohun Bagan's ISL Shield-winning campaign last season, scoring three goals and providing one assist in 26 games.The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the writ petition on Friday. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for Anwar's career and the future of player contracts in Indian football.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has initiated an independent inquiry into the contract renewal procedures of former head coach Igor Stimac. The decision came after the AIFF and Stimac reached a USD 400,000 compensation settlement for terminating his contract.During the AIFF's Annual General Body meeting, members expressed concerns about the renewal, termination, and settlement of Stimac's contract. They called for an investigation into the internal procedures and personnel involved in the 2023 contract renewal, which was allegedly done on "unapproved and unfavorable terms."Stimac had initially filed a claim of USD 920,000 before the FIFA Football Tribunal. However, he eventually reached a full and final settlement with the AIFF. The AIFF noted that the 2023 contract renewal left the federation in a "compromised negotiating position," leading to significant financial detriment.Stimac was sacked in June 2023, a year before his contract was set to expire. The decision followed India's elimination from the second round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The sacking sparked a public dispute between Stimac and the AIFF, with the Croatian threatening legal action.Sources within the AIFF have revealed that the initial contract with Stimac included a severance clause providing for a three-month notice period. However, the later contract (signed in October 2023) did not have this clause, creating complications for the AIFF in terminating Stimac's contract.Former AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran claimed that the contract extension without a severance clause was "approved" by president Kalyan Chaubey. However, Chaubey denied this assertion, stating that he was not informed about the contract signing.The AIFF also expressed concerns about a former employee, who no longer holds any positions in Indian football, continuing to represent the federation in various committees of the South Asian Football Federation and Asian Football Confederation. The members requested the AIFF Executive Committee to take action to curtail such practices.Meanwhile, the Indian national team is set to establish a permanent address for high-altitude training camps at the newly launched stadium in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. The location, situated at 10,000 feet above sea level, is considered ideal for acclimatizing the squad for international competitions.Additionally, the AIFF Executive Committee proposed to include the India U-20 men's national team in the I-League competition. The move aims to provide the team with competitive game time and maintain match fitness throughout the year. The India U20 team will be exempt from promotion-relegation.

Igor Stimac, the former head coach of the Indian national football team, has filed a complaint with FIFA seeking compensation from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for breach of contract. Stimac's contract was terminated in June 2023, and he claims that he is entitled to compensation until June 2026, as per the terms of his contract.Stimac's lawyer, Davor Radic, stated that the termination of his client's contract was without just cause and that the compensation offered by the AIFF was unacceptable. The case is likely to be referred to FIFA's Players' Status Chamber, which handles employment-related disputes between associations and coaches of international dimension.Stimac was appointed as India's head coach in May 2019 and was responsible for some notable achievements, including a 0-0 draw against Asian champions Qatar and three tournament wins at home in 2023. However, India's poor performance in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers led to his dismissal.Under Stimac's contract, he was entitled to a monthly salary of $30,000 until January 2025 and $40,000 thereafter until June 2026. If AIFF is ordered to pay, the total amount could exceed ₹7.5 crore.The AIFF has not yet received any official communication from FIFA or Stimac regarding the complaint. However, acting secretary-general Satyanarayan Muthyalu stated that the federation will present its version of events to FIFA.Stimac's Croatian assistants, Luka Radman and Frano Srdarev, who had contracts until 2025, are reportedly willing to accept six months' salary from AIFF as compensation.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is facing scrutiny from FIFA over the delay in adopting its new constitution. In a letter dated June 22, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expressed concern that they had not received an update from AIFF since July 31, 2023, and requested a response by July 5.AIFF responded, stating that the matter is currently sub-judice, meaning it is being considered by the Supreme Court of India. However, FIFA-AFC emphasized that the AIFF Congress, as the supreme legislative body of the federation, should have the authority to amend statutes without judicial intervention.The FIFA-AFC letter refers to a meeting held on May 16, 2023, where AIFF was asked to provide an update on the new constitution. This followed a Supreme Court order appointing former Justice Nageswara Rao to oversee the drafting process. Rao submitted the draft statutes to the court on July 31, 2023, but the matter has since been delayed due to objections from stakeholders.AIFF has stated that the Supreme Court granted stakeholders the opportunity to file objections to the draft constitution. However, the federation's objections were initially excluded from the compilation by the court-appointed Amicus Curiae. AIFF was subsequently allowed to file its objections on March 19, 2024.The delay in adopting the new constitution has raised concerns about AIFF's compliance with FIFA and AFC statutes. AIFF was suspended by FIFA in August 2022 for third-party influence, but the ban was lifted after the federation held elections in September 2022.FIFA and AFC have reiterated that AIFF's constitution must be in line with their statutes and approved by the AIFF general body without any interference from third parties. The ongoing legal proceedings and objections from stakeholders have prevented AIFF from finalizing and adopting the new constitution.