AIFF Clarifies Subhasish’s Injury Occurred During ISL Final, Not Asian Cup Qualifiers

Fast Summary:

• The All India football Federation (AIFF) clarified that Mohun Bagan Super Giant captain, Subhasish Bose, sustained a groin injury during the Indian Super League (ISL) final on April 12, 2025, and not during the Asian Cup qualifiers match against Bangladesh in March.
• In its letter to Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), AIFF referenced the national team medical department’s findings. Bose played 85 minutes in the qualifier match and no injury was reported then.
• Following the qualifiers, Bose participated fully in ISL semifinals on April 3 and 7, as well as nearly all of the ISL final before reporting discomfort later at a training camp on May 18.
• AIFF criticized MBSG for not informing them about Bose’s injury or conducting proper investigations or rehabilitation prior to his arrival at the national camp.
• Despite recovering from mild discomfort under reduced training loads in May-June at the national camp,he was released on June 5 after persistent issues made it risky for him to play further matches.
• Recently, MBSG refused player releases for CAFA Nations Cup citing scheduling outside FIFA international windows. Additionally, they accused AIFF of “negligence” regarding player welfare.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The clarification by AIFF addresses concerns over Subhasish Bose’s timeline of injuries but underscores deeper systemic challenges between clubs and federations in Indian football. A lack of effective communication between AIFF medical teams and clubs like MBSG regarding player fitness management may contribute to lingering trust deficits.

This incident brings attention to broader issues such as workload management for players participating across domestic and international tournaments. For India’s football ecosystem to thrive globally while protecting player welfare domestically, mechanisms ensuring consistent dialogue between clubs and federations need reinforcement. Ensuring FIFA-endorsed best practices would mitigate future conflicts over accountability.Read More