Now Reading: India’s ASEAN Cup pullout could cost AIFF Rs 23.52 lakh fine
-
01
India’s ASEAN Cup pullout could cost AIFF Rs 23.52 lakh fine
India have withdrawn from the FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled from September 24 to October 3, to play a friendly against Brazil on October 3. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) initially planned…
The Story in Brief
India have withdrawn from the FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled from September 24 to October 3, to play a friendly against Brazil on October 3. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) initially planned to send a second-string squad but FIFA insisted on the main team. FIFA rules allow only four matches in the September-October window; India would exceed that limit by playing both events.
Times Now reports the withdrawal could cost the AIFF a fine of Rs 17.64-23.52 lakh from FIFA's Disciplinary Committee. An AIFF insider told the outlet the advance payment for the Brazil friendly is over Rs 10 crore, possibly Rs 30-40 crore. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said Brazil is a rare opportunity that can promote the sport across India.
The Indian Opinion
This story pits cold hard cash against romance with the Selecao. The AIFF claims a Brazil friendly is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Indian players, but the numbers tell a different tale. An advance payment of Rs 10-40 crore for that game overshadows the maximum Rs 23.52 lakh fine for withdrawing from the ASEAN Cup. The real test is whether this expensive friendly generates enough revenue and footballing value to justify skipping a FIFA tournament. Or is the push more about Kalyan Chaubey's election campaign than grassroots growth?
Sources (3): timesnownews.com, timesnownews.com (2), hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
