Now Reading: Bhutia slams AIFF for pulling out of ASEAN Cup for Brazil friendly
-
01
Bhutia slams AIFF for pulling out of ASEAN Cup for Brazil friendly
Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia has criticised the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for withdrawing from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to host a friendly against Brazil, calling it a 'bad, bad…
The Story in Brief
Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia has criticised the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for withdrawing from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to host a friendly against Brazil, calling it a 'bad, bad decision'. Bhutia told PTI that spending an estimated Rs 50-70 crore on the Brazil match is unjustifiable when domestic club football is in crisis, with ISL clubs shutting down and I-League clubs struggling to pay entry fees.
Bhutia accused AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of misleading the government. India had accepted FIFA’s invitation to the ASEAN Cup, a tournament featuring teams like Indonesia and Malaysia, but pulled out due to a scheduling clash with the Brazil friendly on October 3 in Kolkata. Bhutia argued that a FIFA-recognised competition offers far more value than a single costly exhibition match.
The Indian Opinion
The blame falls squarely on AIFF’s leadership for prioritising a one-off glamour friendly over a FIFA tournament that could have tested India against regional rivals. The reported Rs 50-70 crore payment to Brazil looks indefensible when East Bengal, fresh from an AFC Champions League win, is scrambling for sponsors and Jamshedpur FC was sold for a symbolic Re 1. The test for Kalyan Chaubey is simple: will he disclose the exact fee paid and explain how this benefits Indian football beyond one evening in Kolkata? Without that, the criticism is fully earned.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
