Indian soccer icon Bhaichung Bhutia, who misplaced a lopsided election final yr for the publish of AIFF president, on Wednesday launched a scathing assault on the governing physique’s incumbent president Kalyan Chaubey whereas demanding for ‘fresh’ polls.
The former Indian captain’s salvo on the AIFF govt committee comes within the wake of the sacking of its secretary normal Shaji Prabhakaran, who has been eliminated on grounds of ‘breach of trust’.
Bhutia claimed that Prabhakaran has been made a ‘scapegoat’ by the Chaubey-led physique, including that having an election is the one method to save Indian soccer.
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“The breach of trust should not be on Shaji alone but all the members heading the AIFF, including the president, vice-president and treasurer,” Bhutia advised PTI from Gangtok.
“Where has this breach happened, what is this breach everybody wants to know?” Bhutia requested, including that every one the key selections have been taken collectively by the members.
He cited the examples of AIFF’s choice to drop out of the race to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and in addition the latest chaotic construct-up to the Asian Games in China, the place the Indian workforce reached merely a day earlier than its first match.
“Every time, the president and secretary together, have taken the key decisions including Asian Games and the withdrawal of bidding to host the Asia Cup,” he stated.
“But they are making Shaji a scapegoat here. (The) entire team, president, secretary general, vice-president and treasurer are responsible for this mess. Everyone should go and elections should be held under the new constitution.”.
“I’m not surprised by the sacking of Shaji. From the time the new management has taken over, there has been huge mismanagement,” Bhutia claimed.
Former India goalkeeper Chaubey, who joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party just a few years in the past, grew to become the primary participant-turned-president within the 85-yr historical past of the All India Football Federation when he routed Bhutia by securing 33 out of 34 votes final yr on September 2.
The election was of great significance for the reason that nationwide federation was suspended by FIFA for ‘undue influence from third parties’, with the world governing physique saying that the U-17 Women’s World Cup ‘cannot currently be held in India as planned’.
But the ban was lifted after the elections have been held, clearing the decks for India to host the event in October final yr.
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Terming it as ‘temporary elections’ Bhutia additional stated, “The election (which) happened at that time was a temporary one for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup and was held for the ban to be lifted.”.
“It’s an interim body which is in power right now. The Supreme Court has formed a new constitution. There is a case going on, and that has been approved. So I think, under that constitution, the elections should happen immediately. It’s the only way to save Indian football,” Bhutia emphasised.
“The previous elections were not permanent because the constitution was not there. They formed a draft only for the ban to be lifted and the World Cup could be held,” Bhutia claimed.
He additional stated the efficiency of the Blue Tigers has been a catastrophe, particularly whereas enjoying away from dwelling.
“In terms of performance, apart from those 2-3 wins in India, every tournament they (have) played outside has been a disaster.”
The Igor Stimac-coached facet gained the Tri-Nation Series, Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championships at dwelling this yr.
But India misplaced to Iraq on penalties within the King’s Cup opening spherical recreation which additionally was a semi-remaining, whereas within the Merdeka Cup final month they have been knocked out with a 2-4 defeat towards Malaysia.
“The new set of members have to come in, (a) new body should be formed (and) only then football can be saved in India and brought back on track,” Bhutia signed off.
The AIFF on Wednesday introduced that it has sacked the secretary normal Shaji for ‘breach of trust’, a transfer described as ‘conspiracy’ by the New Delhi-based sports activities administrator.
Prabhakaran’s sacking got here 14 months after his appointment to the excessive-profile job, even because the nationwide federation didn’t present particulars on the ‘breach’ which prompted such an motion.
The 51-yr-previous Prabhakaran, nonetheless, expressed that the choice has no constitutional validity.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
