AIFF to respond to ousted coach Igor Stimac's remarks in next 48 hours

NEW DELHI: The recent developments within the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have garnered significant attention, particularly following the termination of Igor Stimac's contract as the head coach of the Indian men's national football team.
Stimac's dismissal came in the wake of India's inability to progress to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, a decision that has since sparked a series of public statements and controversies.

In a recent online press conference, Igor Stimac voiced his dissatisfaction with the AIFF's leadership, specifically targeting AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey.

Stimac accused the federation and its senior officials of not fulfilling promises and failing to provide adequate support during his tenure. He went as far as to suggest that the AIFF's current leadership, under Chaubey, is detrimental to the growth and development of football in India.
"The sooner Kalyan Chaubey leaves AIFF, the better it is for Indian football," Stimac said, as quoted by PTI.
Stimac's grievances also extend to financial matters, as he has threatened to take legal action against the AIFF in the FIFA Tribunal if his outstanding dues are not settled within a stipulated timeframe.
The AIFF, in response to Stimac's allegations, has stated that it will issue a formal statement addressing these issues within 48 hours.

Following Stimac's press conference on Friday, the AIFF issued a statement, noting, "It has come to our attention that former India men's team head coach Mr. Igor Stimac has made certain remarks in the media pertaining to functioning of the All India Football Federation and some of its senior officials. The AIFF will issue a statement in this regard in the next 48 hours."
Stimac's tenure, which began in March 2019 following the departure of Stephen Constantine, concluded after India's defeat to Qatar in their final match of the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers. During his time as head coach, Stimac expressed concerns over the administration and governance of football in India, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of progress in the sport's development compared to its global counterparts.