AIFF issues response to Igor Stimac's critical remarks of the federation and President Kalyan Chaubey
Days after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) parted ways with head coach Igor Stimac, tensions have escalated after the Croatian leveled several accusations against the AIFF and President Kalyan Chaubey.
In response, the federation has issued a statement addressing Stimac’s critical remarks about the state of Indian football.
The statement, published on the official website, indicates that the AIFF plans to release a response regarding Stimac’s comments within the next 48 hours. It stated:
"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 regards in the next 48 hours."
Igor Stimac, who received his termination notice on Monday, June 17, stirred controversy after being dismissed. He revealed his sacking as ‘unprofessional and unethical,’ and threatened legal action against the Federation if his payment was not settled within 10 days.
Subsequently, he turned to social media, ‘to open up the cards’ to Indian supporters regarding his dismissal, and the alleged mismanagement within the AIFF. This culminated in a press conference on Friday, where he addressed several issues, including criticisms directed at Kalyan Chaubey and various other problems within Indian football.
What were Stimac’s comments during the press conference?
Igor Stimac strongly criticized the AIFF, asserting that he was misled multiple times during his tenure as head coach. He also showed dissatisfaction with the lack of support his staff recieved and claimed the federation is poorly managed.
"I came here with open arms, but your football is imprisoned. It was impossible for me to continue without ample support. I was fed with full of lies and surrounded by people who have their private interests. The people in the football house run it only thinking what social media will think. There’s no other objective for those people. This is not the way to run an institution," Stimac said.
The Croatian launched an attack on president Kalyan Chaubey, questioning his motives and leadership, and clarified that he never had a personal relationship with the president.
"Having a president whose most important thing is how many clicks he has got on his social media, how to get pictures with famous footballers, instead of taking care of his own institution is ridiculous," Stimac alleged.
"Now, with his public media appearances, he’s just trying to please those destructive people on social media, saying the coach is giving excuses. No, the coach is telling the truth. Not like you, dear Kalyan. You’re the only one lying, and just thinking about how to be popular. That’s sad for Indian football. Sooner he leaves his position, Indian football stands a chance."
It remains uncertain how the AIFF will respond to Igor Stimac’s revelations. Regardless, the conclusion of Stimac’s tenure has left a contentious mark on both Indian football and will prompt numerous questions for the AIFF to answer.