Bhaichung Bhutia slams AIFF as ‘circus', accuses Kalyan Chaubey of mismanagement; president hits back, calls charges baseless

Time of India

12 hours ago

Former India captain
Bhaichung Bhutia
on Friday made a scathing attack on the
All India Football Federation
(
AIFF
) leadership, calling the current administration under president
Kalyan Chaubey
a "circus" riddled with all-round mismanagement.
Chaubey hit back through an official statement, dismissing the allegations as "baseless" and accusing Bhutia of "deliberately distorting the image of AIFF".
In a no-holds-barred press conference here, Bhutia said
Indian football
has been experiencing one of the worst phases in recent history -- both in performance and credibility -- under the stewardship of Chaubey.
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"The AIFF today is a circus. And when you put jokers in those positions, it's bound to become a circus," Bhutia said, pointing to the federation's inability to resolve the I-League championship impasse between Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers.
The fate of the I-League title hinges on a
Court of Arbitration for Sport
's verdict on the appeal filed by Inter Kashi against a decision of the AIFF's Appeals Committee.
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"They (AIFF) should have made a clear decision when the controversy erupted. Instead, they let the league continue in confusion. Clubs were treated unfairly. It's embarrassing for Indian football," said Bhutia.
Bhutia repeated his earlier criticism of Chaubey's decision to withdraw India's bid to host the
2027 AFC Asian Cup
, leaving Saudi Arabia the sole candidate in the fray.
"Why did we suddenly withdraw our 2027 AFC Asian Cup bid and agree to host the
Santosh Trophy
in Saudi Arabia instead? This has to be investigated by someone neutral," said Bhutia, alleging "financial misuse" by the AIFF president.
Chaubey has now expressed India's interest in bidding for the 2031 edition of the AFC Asian Cup.
"When we had the best chance, we gave it away. Now we're looking at 2031 where seven countries, including World Cup-qualified Uzbekistan, are interested. It makes no sense," said the legendary striker.
Dismissing Bhutia's allegations, Chaubey said, "As a member of the (AIFF) Executive Committee, Mr. Bhutia has access to appropriate and empowered platforms to express his views.
"However, since his defeat in September 2022 (AIFF president's election), he has consistently and deliberately made baseless allegations and presented a distorted image of the AIFF. These actions tarnish the federation's reputation and Indian football internationally."
Chaubey invited Bhutia to the upcoming AIFF Executive Committee meeting on July 2, saying he can raise his concerns and suggestions there.
"He is most welcome to present any constructive proposals, which will be duly deliberated upon in the spirit of transparency, collaboration, and collective development of Indian football," Chaubey said in an AIFF statement.