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AIFF President Responds to Criticism

Kalyan Chaubey, the president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), found himself in a defensive position as he faced criticism from various quarters, including former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia, regarding the current state of football in India. Chaubey refuted claims of corruption and discussed the future of Indian coach Manolo Marquez, emphasizing that the federation is in touch with 33 foreign-based players of Indian descent who may represent India if legal changes occur.

This statement came just three days after India's disappointing 0-1 defeat to Hong Kong, a team ranked lower than India, in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

Chaubey stated, "I've received numerous inquiries about the coach's future. We will have a comprehensive discussion during our executive committee meeting on June 29."

He also revealed that the AIFF is actively engaging with several players eligible for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. "We are in contact with 33 players who qualify for the OCI card. Some have already obtained it, and we are assisting others in the process. We are in ongoing discussions with the government for the necessary approvals," he explained.

When pressed for more details, Chaubey, who also serves as the joint secretary of the Indian Olympic Association, acknowledged that obtaining these approvals might take time.

"As I mentioned, implementing systematic changes is not an overnight task. It requires time and effort. We've held discussions with various stakeholders. When I say we've reached out to 33 players globally, do you think that can be accomplished in just a few days?" he clarified.

Chaubey also responded to Bhutia's criticisms regarding the AIFF's management and alleged corruption within the organization. He stated, "Our accounts have been audited by the CAG, Deloitte, FIFA, and our external auditors. If there were any signs of corruption, they would have been flagged. There are petitions from a few individuals who either lost elections to my team or were once part of the AIFF and are now not involved, and they are behind these allegations."

"Bhaichung is a respected figure in Indian football, known for his success as a player. He served as an advisor to the AIFF president with a monthly salary of 1.5 lakh and participated in the executive committee meetings where he could voice concerns about corruption," he added.