Jaydeep Basu

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AIFF: INDEPENDENT FORENSIC AUDIT NEEDED The outcome of yesterday's AIFF Special General Meeting has made a few things crystal clear for everyone to see and form their own opinions, creating a stir in the football fraternity in the last 24 hours. First, the three high-profile friendly matches against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay, promoted by the AIFF as the turning point of Indian football, were complete misadventures. It has brought financial doom for the federation and may tarnish the image of the AIFF in the international arena. Second, the AIFF is now a divided house on this issue. Otherwise, a proposal tabled by the AIFF President wouldn’t have been questioned by more than half a dozen state associations like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bengal, Delhi, Odisha, Kerala, Rajasthan, etc. It was like a defeat for the AIFF President on the floor of the house, the most embarrassing moment for an elected official. It is not about breaking the fixed deposit alone. It is also about breaking the faith of those who thought Indian football was in trustworthy hands. No one knows who proposed and cleared the hosting of matches that will cost Rs. 63 crores in appearance fees alone. Nobody is sure whether the AIFF Finance Committee was consulted and the necessary permission was taken before dragging the national federation into this unbelievable muddle. Some members are now claiming that no budget was placed before the Executive Committee for the three matches; the agreement with the Brazil federation was signed a week before the Exco meeting was informed, a gross violation of the laid-down procedure. To cap it off, the agreement was signed by a couple of paid employees of the AIFF, while members were kept in dark. As the AIFF President remained stubborn in his refusal to table the accounts of the three friendlies and their details, it gave rise to an uneasy feeling that not everything was in order in it. To make things clear, it is time for an independent forensic audit team immediately appointed to look into the book that allegedly has left the AIFF in debt over Rs. 35 crores. #IndianFootball

AIFF: ATTEMPT TO BREAK FIXED DEPOSIT STALLED A proposal from the AIFF top brass to break the Rs. 20 crores fixed deposit to clear the huge financial debt created from the hosting of friendly matches against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay was stalled by the members in the virtual AIFF Special General Meeting today. While the proposal to break the FD was brought in by the AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, at least three senior members vehemently opposed the move and demanded that the financial balance sheet of the three high-profile friendly matches be immediately tabled. Neither Chaubey nor the Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan, however, was ready to spell out the exact numbers. After a nearly two-hour debate failed to break the deadlock and persuade the members to agree with the management, it was decided to form a committee to look into the matter. The AIFF Vice President NA Haris may head the committee. It may be recalled that prior to the three friendlies, former India captain and AIFF Executive Committee member Bhaichung Bhutia alleged the federation was looking forward to breaking the FD to organise the matches. The next day, the AIFF issued a statement calling the allegation false and threatened to take legal action against anyone trying to tarnish the image of the AIFF. Unofficial sources claimed the AIFF owes around Rs. 26 crores to Brazil and Uruguay as appearance fees and a serious amount of money to its vendors. #IndianFootball

AIFF: A TRUNCATED SIDE LIKELY AGAINST PAKISTAN India are expected to travel to Dhaka for the SAFF Championship without a full squad for the first match against Pakistan on Nov 5. While the defending champions will have an insufficient bench strength (18-20) in the tournament opener, eight to 10 more players will join Naushad Moosa’s side after the first match. The initial set of players, who have been released by their clubs since they don't have any ISL/IFL engagements after Nov 1, will assemble in Kolkata on Nov 2 for a possible training session before flying to Dhaka the following day. While the SAFF Championship starts on Nov 5, the FIFA International match calendar opens on Nov 9, two days before India play their second group league match against the Maldives. As per the FIFA rules, it is mandatory for clubs to release players four days before the start of the FIFA Window. Though the AIFF has the plan to field a U23 side for SAFF because of its commitment to the tour of New Zealand, a couple of senior players could be picked up for Dhaka, as they are unlikely to make the cut for the Kiwi travel. #IndianFootball

WILL INDIA BE THERE FOR SAFF? India's participation in the 2026 SAFF Championship remains in jeopardy despite an earlier statement issued by the organisers saying the defending champions will arrive in Dhaka in time. With 11 days to go for India to take on Pakistan in the tournament opener, the AIFF is yet to release the list of probables, leave alone the dates for the training camp. Sources said the AIFF is struggling to raise a decent side after the clubs made clear of their reluctance to release players outside the FIFA window dates. While the next FIFA international match calendar is between Nov 9 to 17, the SAFF group league matches start from Nov 5. Since the MG ISL matches will be in full swing till Nov 7, the chances of the clubs releasing players or the SAFF organisers postponing the meet by a few days look remote. The development is a sad reflection of the AIFF's administration. Even a moderately alert management could have broken the stalemate long ago by talking to the clubs and the SAFF organisers. Instead, it allowed the problem to grow and push India to an embarrassing position that will do no good to its regional hegemony. #IndianFootball

AIFF POSTPONES SANTOSH TROPHY The AIFF is currently on a postponement spree. After deferring the Sub-junior Boys National Championship, which was supposed to start this month, it has now decided to postpone the Senior Men’s National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy. Kerala was scheduled to host it in December. Both championships have been pushed to January 2027, a clear indication that the current committee headed by Kalyan Chaubey has conveniently decided to wash its hands off, leaving it for the new committee to take a call after the AIFF elections on December 20. A SAMBA EFFECT ON AIFF COFFERS? Sources in the AIFF claimed that the federation exchequer has been left high and dry after the high-cost friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay. Its cash flow is at its all-time low, which can lead to the shelving of more NFCs. The postponement of the Santosh Trophy to January may turn the IFL 2 into a non-starter because of a clash of dates. STRANGE REASONINGS While putting the Santosh Trophy on hold, the AIFF, in a letter to the state FAs, said, “Upon reviewing the current operational landscape across various member associations, it has come to our attention that several Member State Associations are presently conducting or preparing for their elections. Recognizing that these administrative processes require significant focus, resources, and coordination, AIFF has evaluated the situation to ensure full participation and smooth conduct of the tournament. “In order to allow state associations sufficient time to complete their electoral proceedings and subsequently assemble and prepare their representative teams without disruption, the AIFF has decided to postpone the 80th Santosh Trophy National Football Championship to January 2027.” First, the AIFF has made it abundantly clear that elections are more important than the 85-year-old Santosh Trophy. Secondly and curiously enough, sources said that no state association has so far written to the AIFF urging the Santosh Trophy postponement in light of their upcoming elections. #IndianFootball

INDIA WITHDRAW FROM DHAKA SAFF? India have withdrawn from the SAFF Championships to be held in Dhaka next month, the leading Bangladesh daily "Kalbela" reported today. It said that India are backing out despite one of the AIFF's senior officials attending the draw ceremony last month with all the assurances of participation. The AIFF is yet to make any official announcement in this regard. But given the current nature of political equations between India and Bangladesh, the AIFF decision to withdraw from the regional meet could be labelled as an unwarranted and tactless one. One won't be surprised to find the issue snowball into a major controversy. #IndianFootball

DSA ELECTIONS UPDATE BS Mehra is set to become the new President of the Delhi Soccer Association. His sole rival and the current incumbent of the post, Anuj Gupta, has reportedly withdrawn his candidature, leaving Mehra the only candidate in the fray. The DSA elections are scheduled for October 18, 2026. #IndianFootball

INDIAN FOOTBALL: A FEW RANDOM THOUGHTS A bout of rain and thunderstorm temporarily stopped the FIFA friendly between India and Uruguay at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on October 6, 2026. When the weather cleared and the match resumed, it turned out to be a fresh thunderstorm in and around the Indian goal area. Uruguay pumped in six and conceded one. Was it a thunderstorm? Or the warning growl? Maybe the panic of wings regarding what was about to hit us. We were completely unprepared. We didn’t know whether our fate was painted in bruised purple or charcoal-black. We were caught unaware. In two matches against Brazil and Uruguay, India conceded 10. We heard the experts say that it was expected; they also said India should play matches of such magnitude more regularly. It will help Indian football develop and prosper. Once we checked the backgrounds of these dream merchants, we knew more. They are agents who sell such dreams to help their bank balance grow. They have deep contacts in the system, make adjustments, and know the right people. The Indian football ecosystem reportedly spent around Rs. 70 crores to host football giants like Brazil, Uruguay, and Panama. The visitors departed with fat purses in their pockets. We basked in the glory of hosting two former multiple-time World Cup winners as the number of unpaid bills piled up on our desks. The effort may leave our own federation a pauper, but who cares? To keep it precise, do you really care? We don’t bother about our grassroots, hardly give a second thought about youth development, and have never been serious about the national teams right from the age group level. Life is all about picnics to us; it’s about partying and instant fun. Hosting Brazil and Uruguay was integral part of it. We were truly a resounding success in this. #IndianFootball

PERFECT SAYING Eyes that I last saw in tears/Through division/Here in death's dream kingdom/The golden vision reappears/I see the eyes but not the tears/This is my affliction. TS Eliot

AIFF: A COUPLE OF DUBIOUS RECORDS SET Record One: The 1-6 loss against Uruguay is the biggest margin of defeat for the Blue Tigers in Kolkata. Record two: Never before India conceded 10 goals in two back-to-back matches on home soil. (0-4 against Brazil, 1-6 against Uruguay) NB: India also tasted defeats at the Salt Lake Stadium for the first time in nearly 20 years. #IndianFootball

THE PLIGHT OF A FORMER INDIA CAPTAIN Nili Ghosh captained India when pursuing a career in football was a taboo for Indian women, an outrageous act to the so-called guardians of the society. Nili was an exception; she maintained a good academic career, landed a good job in the government sector, and yet turned out to be a brilliant inside striker who played at the highest level throughout the 1970s. Life has not been kind to the former India regular in the last few years. Senior journalist and author Nirmal Kumar Saha has recently reported that Nili is now spending her days in a psycho-social rehabilitation centre and old age home in South 24 Parganas of West Bengal, where she was admitted four years ago. Currently she is enjoying perfect mental and physical health but is unable to leave the centre because of some legal complications. Touching 70, Nili is frustrated and lonely. It is time for someone in the football fraternity to come forward and provide the necessary legal and additional assistance to one of the pioneers of women’s football in India so she can return to the mainstream. In the photos, we can see Nili with her former national teammate Kuntala Ghosh Dastidar and during her younger days. (Photo courtesy: Nirmal Kumar Saha) #IndianFootball

AIFF: PRESIDENT'S COMMITMENT The AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has informed the General Body that he will take responsibility in case any financial loss is suffered after the three high profile Friendlies organised by the federation. No money will be taken from the AIFF account. It is feared the AIFF may incur a loss of Rs. 25-30 cr after the completion of the three matches. #IndianFootball

The AIFF elections will be held on December 20, 2026. #IndianFootball

AIFF: QUESTIONS THAT WILL NEVER BE RAISED The following questions will not be asked or discussed in the AIFF Executive Committee and Special General Meeting to be held in Kolkata today, October 4, 2026. The Rip Van Winkle(s) of the AIFF will prefer to remain asleep at the Catskill Mountains for 20 years, while the AIFF treasury is looted and the future of Indian football is ripped apart with a vengeance. 1) Was the Rs. 70 crore budget (approx.) for the three FIFA Friendlies discussed in the last Exco meeting? If it was, could you please clarify why it didn’t appear in the minutes? 2) Was this budget submitted with the Finance Committee? If it was, then on what grounds was it approved? 3) Contracts for crores of rupees have been given to the vendors for the three matches. Was the tender process as per the AIFF rules followed in each case? Can the head of administration place it on record? 4) What exactly is the financial health of the AIFF currently? How much of its money has been used for the three Friendlies, and when it would be reimbursed? 5) How much debt the AIFF is expected to incur from the three Friendlies? What are the heads on which the money is yet to be paid? How would it be paid? #IndianFootball

AIFF: FREE FOR ALL AT THE YBK? Desperate to fill the stands for the India vs Brazil match at the YBK tonight, the AIFF has reportedly printed more than 20,000 thousand complimentary tickets. While some have gone to registered clubs in the IFA, the state government and politicians are other major beneficiaries. There is also a feeling that the gates could be opened for free entry, at least for a section of the crowd. Sources said that less than 20,000 tickets have so far been sold for the match, leaving the impression that the number of free loaders may exceed the paying public. #IndianFootball

AIFF: The doomsday clock is ticking Brace yourself for the worst-ever financial disaster in Indian football after India host Brazil and Uruguay in the FIFA Friendlies. According to sources, the AIFF is staring at a loss of Rs. 25-30 crores, which could be even bigger once the chief actors of the showpiece events take off their fancy hats and are asked to settle the pending bills. Consider this. The appearance fees for the three teams and the airfare are costing the AIFF Rs. 63 crores, strictly by conservative estimates. Throw in another Rs. 7 crores, once again by conservative estimates, as the organisational expenses. Now, consider the income from the three matches. So far, the combined proceeds from the ticket sale from the three matches are around Rs. 13 crores, by optimistic estimates. Another liberal estimate suggests that the sponsors associated with the matches could contribute Rs. 22 crores. Let’s add another Rs. 10 crores that may miraculously walk in at the eleventh hour. Now, do your math. Thereafter, wait for the Special General Meeting of the AIFF on October 4, where someone would shower the members with abundant lies to justify his actions (like he did in Itanagar and Hyderabad). His sidekicks would be in full form, too. #IndianFootball

A FINANCIAL MESS FOR THE AIFF? A deep financial crisis awaits the AIFF at the end of the three high-profile friendlies that may cost it around Rs. 70 crores. If the sources are to be believed, the AIFF is struggling to raise the money; the number of sponsors roped in are far below the requirements, and the ticket sales are not going to bridge the gap since the matches have received lukewarm responses from the Kolkata spectators so far. If the situation doesn’t improve dramatically in the next couple of days, then the AIFF may be left in knee-deep debt that would be difficult to overcome without a miracle. Sources claimed that currently lots of things are moving on credit, including teams’ payments, but the bills have to be settled sooner rather than later. The AIFF Exco member, Bhaichung Bhutia, previously alleged that the federation would break into its fixed deposit to run these games. It was vehemently and firmly denied by the AIFF, which, according to its own admission, is running on a Rs. 14 crores deficit annual budget. The wisdom of hosting these matches will only be revealed with time. #IndianFootball

AIFF’S FINANCIAL FLOP SHOW (PART 3) A press release from the AIFF’s PR Team on Tuesday, September 29, said: “Dr ((Indranil) Khan also informed that the West Bengal Government will host a State Guest Dinner for the Brazil, Uruguay, Russian women's team and India men’s and women’s teams during their visit.” A laudable effort. Definitely. But does it mean that the Russian women’s national team, who are scheduled to play on October 8 and 11, would be in Kolkata by October 2 morning? Has the AIFF suddenly turned so rich with cash that it can host a foreign side a week before the first encounter? Or is it the state government paying for this week-long Russian party? @IndranilKhan #IndianFootball