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Bhutia addresses a press conference in Kolkata on Friday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia blamed All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey for Indian football’s current predicament saying that the latter is using his post for political gain.
“For first time we have a president of the football federation using his position for political mileage by offering some opposition leader a post in AIFF to gain support in the elections.”
‘Shame’
“It is such a shame that he has downgraded the post of the AIFF president by doing that,” Bhutia said during an interaction with the media at the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club on Friday. A lot of people who supported him at that time (the last AIFF elections in September 2022) are regretting it today. I am happy that they are now realising (the mistake)they have done.
“I hope in the next elections they would bring in somebody who has got the sincerity to take football forward and not support anybody who wants to do all the dodgy deals,” Bhutia said.
The legendary striker said that he won’t be contesting the elections if there is political interference.
The Supreme Court is expected to give its verdict on the formalisation of a new AIFF constitution next month, following which there is a possibility of fresh elections in the Football House.
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Bhutia was upset with the way the AIFF under Chaubey’s charge mismanaged the negotiations with its marketing partner FSDL as it failed to finalise the MRA (Master Rights Agreement) thereby throwing the Indian Super League’s future in doubt.
‘No answer’
“Unfortunately the people entrusted with the task of negotiating with FSDL are just going to meetings having tea, pizza and returning after listening to FSDl’s side of the deal.
When I asked the AIFF people, what did you propose? They didn’t have any answer,” Bhutia added.
Published – June 20, 2025 09:52 pm IST
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Chaubey using AIFF president’s post for political gain: Bhutia
