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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey accuses Bhaichung Bhutia of running football schools for ‘vested interest'
All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey on Friday accused Bhaichung Bhutia of running 'commercial' academies for his 'vested interest', allegations that were dismissed by the former national team captain as 'baseless'. Chaubey's accusation was in response to Bhutia's call for his resignation as AIFF chief following India's shock loss to Hong Kong in an AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match recently. Bhutia had said that Chaubey has 'destroyed' Indian football. Addressing a press conference three days after India's loss, which has jeopardised the team's chances of qualifying for the continental showpiece, Chaubey launched a scathing attack against the former skipper. 'He runs a commercial football school named after him, 20 of them in various cities. The players in this football schools pay or are charged Rs 1000 to 1 lakh — Rs 1000 monthly, may be Rs 5000, Rs 10,000,' Chaubey said when asked about Bhutia's comments on him after India's 0-1 defeat. Chaubey was referring to the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS), which has several academies across the country. 'It is a completely vested interest, completely commercial. They (academy) are taking undue advantage by playing with the emotion of the families, emotion of the people who are thinking the man has achieved at the highest level of Indian football and if I (child in the academy) can be a part of his academy, I can also make life as a football player,' the AIFF president said. 'His football school lost 0-31 to Minerva Academy in March this year (in U-17 league), lost 1-17 against Sudeva FC Academy, 0-11 to a Bengaluru club, 0-10 Kickstart FC (so where is the result). 'It is not finished here. There are several other academies he is associated as an advisor, consultant and takes Rs 1.5 to 3 crore and those academy MDs have said that he has never turned up.' Bhutia rejected the allegations and said Chaubey has no knowledge of how academies are run and insisted that he had established his football schools by his own 'hard-earned' money. 'He (Chaubey) is a clueless man and he is making baseless allegations. He does not know anything about football academies. I have established my football schools 14 years back from my hard-earned money. There was no financial support from the states, centre as well as corporates,' Bhutia told PTI from Sikkim. 'In the last two years only few sponsors have come to support the children. I have more than 6000 children playing everyday in my schools across the country. The AIFF even can't do this. 'Who is going to pay for the 150 qualified coaches in my schools and the grounds they are using, nobody is supporting me financially. I have to take fees. But I don't know where from he is quoting Rs 10,000 per month per child, we don't charge that much.' Bhutia said Chaubey was giving results of his academy based in Delhi, which is not among the best. 'Our schools in other parts of the country have done very well. We have players who are playing in IWL, Shillong team is in Subroto Cup. By the way, Sandesh Jhingan was brought to United Sikkim formed by me when he was 17, and he is now India captain.' Bhutia also said he is not involved with any other football academy. 'Chaubey is misusing his position as the AIFF president for political gains, to win elections. He is the first AIFF president against whom allegations of corruption are made,' Bhutia added. Chaubey, on his part, said he has faced enough allegations against him from a 'coterie of three or four people'. 'They have either lost election against my team or some of them were part of the AIFF and some are not. Chair (AIFF president) cannot speak below dignity to respond to anyone's allegations,' he said at the press conference that lasted nearly two hours. 'I have been alleged personally, my family has been alleged badly. Since we are living in a social media age, anything and everything can be said and maligned. I only speak with facts and figures.' Chaubey also mentioned that Bhutia took a salary of Rs 1.5 lakh per month after he was appointed advisor by the then AIFF president Praful Patel in 2017. 'He (Bhuitia) was also advisor to AIFF and the president, appointed in March 2017 with a remuneration of professional fee of 1.5 lakh per month and other perks like flight tickets to be provided by the AIFF. 'He must have advised something to the AIFF and we are in a position to evaluate his suggestion, expert advice. He is also currently executive committee member. He was there to challenge the corruption and stop it. 'Everyone has a right to speak and everything is minutised. All the minutes are available.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey blasts Baichung Bhutia: 'If there was any corruption ... '
Kalyan Chaubey did not hold back when responding to Baichung Bhutia (Image via X/@AllIndiaFtbl & IFTWC) AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has hit back strongly at former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, accusing him of misleading football families through his chain of commercial academies while rejecting Bhutia's calls for his resignation. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday, Chaubey defended his leadership and lashed out at Bhutia, who recently demanded the AIFF president step down 'for the sake of Indian football'. Bhutia had earlier alleged mismanagement and corruption in the federation. 'He (Bhutia) is one of India's best strikers, but he runs a football school chain named after him with about 20 centres nationwide. They (Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools) are taking undue advantage by playing with the emotions of families, emotions of the people, who are thinking the man has achieved the highest level of Indian football, and if I am part of his academy, I too can make my life in it. He has promised the families of Indian football dreamers, and this is the result that we have seen,' Chaubey said. He pointed out that the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) U-17 team lost 31-0 to Minerva Academy in the I-League U-17. 'This is the result of what he is promising families,' he added, also listing other poor performances to stress his point. Dismissing allegations of corruption within the AIFF, Chaubey stated, 'If there was any corruption, it would have been red-flagged. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo These accusations come from 3-4 people who either lost elections against my team or were previously in the AIFF.' Chaubey also highlighted Bhutia's past role as an advisor to the AIFF with a salary of Rs 1.5 lakh per month and noted that since he became president in 2022, the federation has held 11 executive committee meetings to maintain transparency. Poll Do you believe Kalyan Chaubey should resign as AIFF president? Yes No Turning to on-field matters, the AIFF chief confirmed that the executive committee will meet on June 29 to review the tenure of national team coach Manolo Marquez. The Spaniard, who took charge in August 2024 following Igor Stimac's exit, has managed just one win — a friendly against Maldives — and India now faces the risk of missing out on the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. 'Manolo is a good coach and understands Indian football well, but recent performances have raised questions. We will decide on his future soon,' Chaubey said. He blamed the lack of quality Indian strikers for the team's struggles, pointing out that India has managed only seven goals in 2024, with three coming against Maldives. Bombay Sport Exchange Ep. 6: Harish Thawani on cricket's TV market and the watershed moments Addressing fan demands to allow Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to play for the national team, Chaubey confirmed the AIFF is in touch with 33 eligible players. 'Some have received their OCI cards. We are helping the others and working within our capacity to get approvals to strengthen our squad,' he said. The developments come amid mounting pressure on the federation to revive India's fortunes both on and off the field.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey's Huge Statement Amid Accusations Of Corruption: "Bhaichung Bhutia..."
All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey has strongly denied accusations of corruption that have been made against India's football governing body. Chaubey, who has led the AIFF since 2022, insists that the organisation has followed due process and that if there was any evidence of corruption, then it would have come to notice. 'If there was any corruption, then it must have been noticed or red-flagged. These comments have been made by 3-4 people who have either lost an election against my team or were a part of the AIFF.' 'My family and I have been treated badly. I only speak facts and figures. He (Bhaichung Bhutia) is one of the best strikers India has ever produced. He was also an advisor to AIFF with 1.5 lakh remuneration monthly. In 13 months, we have had 11 executive committee meetings. He is there to challenge, stop, and question the corruption, to ensure the committee functions well and in a democratic manner,' Kalyan Chaubey said in a press conference. In a recent interview with IANS, Bhaichung Bhutia had slammed the AIFF president and claimed, "Kalyan Chaubey needs to step down for the sake of Indian football". In response, the AIFF president accused the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools, a chain of commercial football academies run by the former striker, of 'taking undue advantage by playing on emotions'. 'He also runs a commercial football school named after him. There are 20 of these schools across the nation. I also have a summary of his side's performance in the I-League U-17, on March 31, his team lost 31-0 against Minerva Academy.' The AIFF president went on to list several games in which BBFS faced defeat to further emphasise his point. 'They (Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools) are taking undue advantage by playing with the emotions of families, emotions of the people, who are thinking the man has achieved the highest level of Indian football, and if I am part of his academy, I too can make my life in it. He has promised the families of Indian football dreamers, and this is the result that we have seen," said Chaubey.
