AIFF

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey blasts Baichung Bhutia: ‘If there was any corruption … ‘ | Football News

Danijones10 hours ago05 mins

Kalyan Chaubey did not hold back when responding to Baichung Bhutia (Image via X/@AllIndiaFtbl & IFTWC) AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has hit back strongly at former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, accusing him of misleading football families through his chain of commercial academies while rejecting Bhutia’s calls for his resignation.Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday, Chaubey defended his leadership and lashed out at Bhutia, who recently demanded the AIFF president step down “for the sake of Indian football”. Bhutia had earlier alleged mismanagement and corruption in the federation.“He (Bhutia) is one of India’s best strikers, but he runs a football school chain named after him with about 20 centres nationwide. They (Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools) are taking undue advantage by playing with the emotions of families, emotions of the people, who are thinking the man has achieved the highest level of Indian football, and if I am part of his academy, I too can make my life in it. He has promised the families of Indian football dreamers, and this is the result that we have seen,” Chaubey said. He pointed out that the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) U-17 team lost 31-0 to Minerva Academy in the I-League U-17. “This is the result of what he is promising families,” he added, also listing other poor performances to stress his point.Dismissing allegations of corruption within the AIFF, Chaubey stated, “If there was any corruption, it would have been red-flagged. These accusations come from 3-4 people who either lost elections against my team or were previously in the AIFF.” Chaubey also highlighted Bhutia’s past role as an advisor to the AIFF with a salary of Rs 1.5 lakh per month and noted that since he became president in 2022, the federation has held 11 executive committee meetings to maintain transparency. Poll Do you believe Kalyan Chaubey should resign as AIFF president? Turning to on-field matters, the AIFF chief confirmed that the executive committee will meet on June 29 to review the tenure of national team coach Manolo Marquez. The Spaniard, who took charge in August 2024 following Igor Stimac’s exit, has managed just one win — a friendly against Maldives — and India now faces the risk of missing out on the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.“Manolo is a good coach and understands Indian football well, but recent performances have raised questions. We will decide on his future soon,” Chaubey said. He blamed the lack of quality Indian strikers for the team’s struggles, pointing out that India has managed only seven goals in 2024, with three coming against Maldives. Bombay Sport Exchange Ep. 6: Harish Thawani on cricket’s TV market and the watershed moments Addressing fan demands to allow Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to play for the national team, Chaubey confirmed the AIFF is in touch with 33 eligible players. “Some have received their OCI cards. We are helping the others and working within our capacity to get approvals to strengthen our squad,” he said.The developments come amid mounting pressure on the federation to revive India’s fortunes both on and off the field.

AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 2027: Manolo Marquez set to exit as India coach after Hong Kong defeat | Football News

Danijones2 days ago06 mins

Panaji: India coach Manolo Marquez cut a forlorn figure after the solitary goal loss against Hong Kong, understandable for a man who savoured just one win from his eight games in charge of the national team. The first six games were in his dual role as coach of club and country but worryingly for the Spaniard, both his games as full-time coach of the national team ended in defeats. If the 0-2 loss against an under-strength Thailand in an international friendly was brushed aside with the focus being on the AFC Asian Cup 2027 final-round qualifiers, the defeat against Hong Kong left everyone deflated. “The dressing room is like a funeral, practically,” Manolo said after the game at the Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. “We are not very happy.We are sad. But I still think that India has possibilities to qualify.” India are at the bottom of the four-team group with just a point from the first two games, starting with a draw against Bangladesh. Singapore and Hong Kong are on top with four points. Only the group winners make it to Saudi Arabia in 2027. Mathematically, India can finish on top, but even if it happens, Manolo won’t be around to savour the achievement as the Spanish coach is expected to part ways with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as soon as later this month. “From June 1, Manolo became a full-time national team coach, and he cannot walk out of his two-year contract on his own,” a senior official told TOI on Wednesday, “Both parties must agree on termination. Given the situation at the moment, with the chief coach hesitant to continue and the results not entirely convincing, the mutual parting of ways is a mere formality.” ‘Nitish Kumar is a guy who can bowl that magic ball’: India bowling coach Morne Morkel A formal parting of ways is expected to take place when the technical committee of the AIFF and its executive committee holds separate meetings on June 29. Manolo will be disappointed with the unexpectedly early end to his stint as national coach. Having managed teams at every level, including grassroots, youth, third division, second division, women’s football, and the LaLiga with Las Palmas in 2017, the national team job was the only one missing for the Spaniard. He was brought on board after agreeing to do a dual job with FC Goa and India, but the results have been far from satisfactory. “I cannot say anything negative about the players. The attitude was there, we had a plan too. In some moments, I felt we could have played better with the ball and be brave. But this is about the situation that the team is not winning, and the players are a little nervous,” said Manolo.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? It was Manolo who flew down to Bengaluru from Goa to convince Sunil Chhetri to come out of international retirement, seeing him as a short-term solution, given that the other leading scorers among domestic players was an uncapped winger and a left-back. Chhetri agreed, scored once against Maldives — Manolo’s only win as national team coach — but hardly made an impression in the subsequent games. Against Hong Kong, India’s highest international goal-scorer didn’t even make it to the starting XI. When the next round of Asian Cup qualifiers are played against group leaders Singapore, away (Oct 9) and home (Oct 14), AIFF would have found a replacement for Manolo as national coach. Replacing Chhetri won’t be as straightforward, unless the 40-year-old forward decides it’s time for India to start afresh. Maybe his starting on the bench on Tuesday was a pointer to how things might shape out in the coming months.