Football

Legendary Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has resigned from the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) technical committee, alleging that the panel was "bypassed" in the appointment of the national men's team head coach.Bhutia, a co-opted member of the executive committee as a former player, attended Saturday's meeting where Spaniard Manolo Marquez was named India head coach. He claimed that under normal practice, the technical committee recommends the head coach of the national team."It is the job of the technical committee to shortlist the candidates who have applied and recommend the suitable person to become coach. But this time, there was not even a single technical committee meeting to appoint successor of Stimac," Bhutia told PTI.He added that a special committee under AIFF vice president NA Haris was dealing with the matter of finding a successor to Stimac, which he opposed."I completely opposed the constitution of the special committee. There is a technical committee already in place and how come you formed a special committee to discuss the appointment of the coach."Bhutia said that the process of hiring, firing, and extending coaches by the executive committee without consulting the technical committee devalued the panel's role."The president proposes one or two names and the executive committee agrees to one," he said.The AIFF said that technical committee chairman IM Vijayan was consulted in the coach appointment process. However, Bhutia maintained that the technical committee was not involved in the decision-making."Since the technical committee was not involved, there was no value of technical committee, then why are we for. So, I said I am resigning from technical committee membership," he said.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently held its annual awards ceremony after a seven-year hiatus, recognizing the outstanding achievements of individuals and teams in Indian football. Indumathi Kathiresan and Lallianzuala Chhangte emerged as the top honorees, while Khalid Jamil was acknowledged for his exceptional coaching skills.Indumathi, a 30-year-old midfielder from Tamil Nadu, became the first player from her state to win the Women's Player of the Year award. Her impressive performances with Gokulam FC and Odisha FC in the Indian Women's League, as well as her contributions to the national team, earned her the prestigious recognition.Chhangte, a 2023-24 ISL winner with Mumbai City FC, retained his Player of the Year title for the second consecutive year. The 25-year-old forward scored 11 goals and provided assists during the season, making him the highest-scoring Indian in the ISL. He also found the net against Qatar in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.Khalid Jamil, the coach of Jamshedpur FC, was named the Best Men's Coach. Despite taking charge of the club mid-season, he guided them to their first-ever semifinal appearance in the Kalinga Super Cup.Other award winners included Sukla Dutta (Best Women's Coach), David Lalhlansanga (Promising Men's Player), Neha (Promising Women's Player), Ramachandran Venkatesh (Best Referee), and Ujjal Halder (Best Assistant Referee).The event was graced by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and AIFF officials. It marked a significant milestone in Indian football, recognizing the hard work, dedication, and achievements of the sport's top performers.

Spaniard Manolo Marquez, currently the head coach of Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men's football team. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive committee made the announcement on July 20, replacing Igor Stimac, who was sacked on June 17 after India failed to qualify for the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.Marquez, 55, has a wealth of experience in Indian football, having led FC Goa to the ISL League Winners' Shield in 2021 and the Super Cup in 2019. He is known for his attacking style of play and his ability to develop young players."The Committee, in the first order of the day, deliberated on the appointment of the new head coach for the Senior Men's National Team, and selected Manolo Marquez for the job, effective immediately," the AIFF said in a statement."During the 2024-25 season, Mr. Marquez will continue his role as the head coach of first team at FC Goa, handling both responsibilities concurrently before assuming the national coaching role on a full-time basis."The tenure of Marquez was not disclosed by the AIFF.Marquez's appointment has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans and pundits believe that he is the right man for the job, given his experience and success in Indian football. Others, however, are concerned about his ability to manage the national team while also being in charge of FC Goa.Despite these concerns, Marquez is confident that he can succeed in both roles. "I am very happy and proud to be appointed as the head coach of the Indian national team," he said. "I know that it is a big responsibility, but I am confident that I can help the team achieve success."Marquez's first task will be to prepare the team for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, which will be held in June 2023. India will be looking to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2019.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has shortlisted 20 "competent" candidates for the position of Indian men's team head coach, following the sacking of Igor Stimac last month. The AIFF's acting secretary general, M Satyanarayan, revealed that the federation has contacted some of the shortlisted coaches to confirm their availability.The shortlisted candidates include both club and national team coaches, with the AIFF considering their experience and suitability for the role. Satyanarayan emphasized that the decision will be based on the coaches' qualifications and their plans for the team.The AIFF is aiming to finalize the shortlist and present it to the executive committee within the next two days. The technical community will also be involved in the decision-making process.Satyanarayan expressed confidence in the team's potential, despite their recent setbacks in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. He highlighted the need to finalize friendly matches for the September window to continue the team's development.The retirement of Sunil Chhetri has left a significant void in the team, but Satyanarayan believes that there are potential replacements who can step up. He mentioned that the upcoming Durand Cup could provide an opportunity to identify promising players.The AIFF is keen to appoint a head coach who can guide the team to success in future international competitions. The federation is confident that the shortlisted candidates possess the necessary skills and experience to lead the Indian men's team to greater heights.

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.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a 23-member senior women's squad for two friendly matches against Myanmar in Yangon on July 9 and 12. The team will be led by head coach Chaoba Devi, who has expressed satisfaction with the squad's combination of senior and junior players.The goalkeeping department comprises Shreya Hooda, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, and Maibam Linthoingambi Devi. The defense will be handled by Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Hemam Shilky Devi, Sanju, Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi, and Aruna Bag.The midfield includes Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Neha, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, and Mousumi Murmu. The forward section consists of Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti, and Rimpa Haldar.Coach Chaoba Devi praised the team's fitness and preparation during the training camp at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata. She emphasized the importance of playing against higher-ranked teams like Myanmar, which is ranked 54th in the FIFA Rankings compared to India's 67th position.Chaoba Devi also credited the Indian Women's League (IWL) for helping in scouting new talents. She believes that more exposure tours and quality games will improve the team's performance.The friendly matches against Myanmar will provide the Indian team with valuable experience and help them prepare for future tournaments. The team's performance will be closely monitored as they aim to improve their FIFA ranking and establish themselves as a force in women's football.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has received an overwhelming response to its search for a new head coach for the national men's football team, with 291 applications from across the globe. The window for applications closed on Wednesday, and the AIFF is now reviewing the candidates before presenting a shortlist to the Executive Committee.The applications include 100 candidates with UEFA Pro License diplomas, 20 with AFC Pro License diplomas, and three with CONMEBOL licenses. AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey expressed his excitement about the interest shown by some of the world's top coaches."We have received an overwhelming response with some of the marquee names having expressed their interest in India," Chaubey said. "We are hoping to onboard the candidate by end July, to ensure India utilise the September FIFA window participation."The position became vacant after the AIFF sacked Igor Stimac last month following India's disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac, who was appointed in 2019, had been given an extension until 2026 last October.The AIFF's Technical Committee, headed by Vice President NA Haris, will now review the applications and select a shortlist for the Executive Committee. The new coach is expected to be appointed by the end of July to prepare the team for the September FIFA window.The AIFF is keen to appoint a coach who can help India qualify for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team has been struggling in recent years, and the AIFF believes that a new coach can bring fresh ideas and help the team reach its potential.

Indian football has faced significant upheaval recently, with the retirement of star striker Sunil Chhetri and the controversial dismissal of national team coach Igor Stimac. Chhetri's departure has raised concerns about finding a suitable replacement, while Stimac's allegations against the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have sparked further controversy.Former Indian team captain Subrata Paul believes that the key to finding Chhetri's successor lies in giving young talents ample opportunities. He emphasizes that Chhetri's success was not achieved overnight and that it will take time and patience to develop the next top striker."Sunil Chhetri has set a good example, but nothing is permanent," Paul said. "We need to work on the future generation of strikers and put our trust in them."Paul acknowledges that Chhetri's legacy will be difficult to match, but he believes that someone will eventually step up to fill his shoes. "We will not be having this conversation five years later because someone will step up to take Chhetri's position in the national side," he added.Meanwhile, Stimac has criticized the AIFF and its president, Kalyan Chaubey, following his dismissal. Paul declined to comment on Stimac's allegations, stating that he prefers to focus on his own contributions to Indian football."Everybody is entitled to their opinions," Paul said. "However, what we can control is what can we do for Indian football."Despite the challenges facing Indian football, Paul remains optimistic about the future. He believes that by investing in young talent and fostering a positive environment, the sport can continue to thrive in India.

Igor Stimac, the former head coach of the Indian football team, has threatened legal action against the All India Football Federation (AIFF) if his dues are not cleared within the next 10 days. Stimac was sacked on Monday, a year before his contract was set to expire, following India's failure to progress beyond the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.Stimac has accused AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of breaching his contract multiple times, including changing his public statements, altering the players' list for the Asian Games, and canceling a press conference after the AFC Asian Cup. He also holds Chaubey responsible for the team's poor performance in the World Cup Qualifiers.Stimac claims that the AIFF's actions have caused him serious health problems, including two stents prior to the AFC Asian Cup. He has stated that he no longer wishes to have any contact with the AIFF.In a notice to the AIFF, Stimac has demanded payment for the remaining value of his contract, which could amount to a whopping Rs six crore. He has threatened to file a lawsuit with the FIFA Football Tribunal if his dues are not cleared within the stipulated time frame.The AIFF has not yet responded to Stimac's allegations or demands. The federation is currently facing a number of challenges, including a lack of funds and a dispute with the Supreme Court over its governance structure.Stimac's sacking has sparked controversy within the Indian football community. Some have criticized the AIFF for its handling of the situation, while others have questioned Stimac's performance as head coach. The incident has highlighted the ongoing problems within Indian football, which has been plagued by mismanagement and a lack of transparency for many years.