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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
From hope to havoc: How AIFF is derailing Indian football's future
Indian football appears to be spiraling deeper into disarray with disappointing results from the Blue Tigers to the interruption in normal functioning of the Indian Super League's new season. News revolving the Indian football scenario is also best described in the new book released recently lays bare the root causes behind the sport's decline in the country. The book, titled Who Stole My Football, penned by veteran journalist Jaydeep Basu, provides an insider's view of how the All India Football Federation (AIFF), under the leadership of president Kalyan Chaubey, has allegedly failed to steer the sport in the right direction. India's ranking on an all-time low Over the past two years, India's men's national football team has seen a dramatic fall in the FIFA rankings, currently slipping to 133, the lowest it has been in nearly a decade. Meanwhile, the Indian Super League (ISL), the nation's premier football competition, is in limbo. The 2025-26 season remains on hold due to an unresolved Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the body responsible for organizing the league. Basu, who formerly served as AIFF's Media Director, draws from firsthand experiences in the federation to highlight a "collapse of professionalism" and "repeated breaches of protocol" that began worsening in 2024. According to the book, critical appointments were made without following proper procedures, leading to a dysfunctional administrative structure. He particularly points to the controversial appointment of Anil kumar as Secretary General, following the dismissal of Shaji Prabhakaran in late 2023. Anilkumar's tenure was short-lived, with the Delhi High Court later staying his appointment, plunging the federation further into crisis. The book also shines a light on India's chaotic participation in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. According to Basu, the national team was hastily assembled at the last minute, reaching the Games Village only hours before their opening match. Unsurprisingly, the squad failed to make it past the group stage. Clashes with former coach Igor Stimac Another contentious issue covered in the book is Chaubey's strained relationship with former national team coach Igor Stimac. Basu recounts an incident where Chaubey allegedly confirmed India's participation in the 2024 Merdeka Cup during a FIFA international window without consulting Stimac. The Croatian coach, as described in the book, was frustrated by being excluded from key decision-making processes and was denied the opportunity to present his long-term vision for the team. Who Stole My Football portrays a troubled picture of Indian football's leadership, detailing a series of missteps and administrative failures that have pushed the sport into an unprecedented state of uncertainty. India under new manager Manolo Marquez India's national football team has managed only one win in its last eight outings under coach Igor Marquez, with the sole victory coming against the Maldives in March. In 2025 alone, the team has played four matches, securing one win, one draw, and suffering two defeats. These disappointing results led to the comeback of legendary striker and former captain Sunil Chhetri. However, his return has had minimal impact on reversing the team's fortunes. India's next international fixture is an away clash against Singapore in October, as part of the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers. Indian football team rankings over the years (Men) Year Highest rank Worst rank 2025 127 133 2024 117 127 2023 99 102 2022 104 106 2021 104 107 2020 104 109 2019 101 108 2018 96 102 2017 96 132 2016 135 163 2015 141 173 2014 145 171 2013 143 167 2012 154 169 2011 144 163 2010 130 160 2009 134 156 2008 143 154 2007 143 165 2006 117 157 2005 127 135 2004 132 143 2003 122 133 2002 120 130 2001 113 124 2000 106 122 1999 106 116 1998 110 127 1997 109 121 1996 94 124 1995 111 121 1994 101 113 1993 99 129 1992 143 143 (with PTI inputs)
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Insider's Account On Indian Football: 'AIFF's Professional Structure Suffered..'
Last Updated: The book chronicles Indian football's decline under AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, with the men's FIFA ranking falling to 133. Indian football has deteriorated significantly over the past two years. A new book provides a detailed account of how the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its president, Kalyan Chaubey, allegedly lost their way. The Indian men's team's FIFA ranking has sunk to a dismal 133, its worst in nine years. The upcoming season of the top-tier, which was expected to start in a couple of months, remains uncertain. In his book 'Who Stole My Football', renowned journalist Jaydeep Basu offers an insider's perspective on what he describes as a systemic breakdown of Indian football, including financial mismanagement under Chaubey's leadership. Basu, who previously served as AIFF's Media Director, has closely witnessed the developments within the organisation, which he meticulously documents. 'The entire professional structure of the AIFF secretariat suffered a breakdown since 2024. The laid down process of appointments was not followed in many instances," Basu writes in his book. According to Basu, the situation 'reached its lowest ebb after Anilkumar took over as the secretary general". Anilkumar, who succeeded Shaji Prabhakaran as AIFF Secretary General after Prabhakaran was dismissed in November 2023, had to vacate his position earlier this year following a Delhi High Court stay on his appointment. The book also details the Indian football team's unpreparedness for the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023. The Indian team played its first group match only hours after arriving at the Games Village in Hangzhou, as the AIFF managed to assemble a second-string squad at the last minute. The team failed to advance to the knockout stage. What is Wrong With Indian Football? Chaubey's strained relations with Croatian legend and former India head coach Igor Stimac are also highlighted in the book. 'Stimac was bitterly disappointed when Chaubey, without consulting the national coach, finalised India's participation in the Merdeka Cup in 2024 during FIFA international window." 'Stimac's biggest complaint was that he never had a chance to explain his side of the story and his plans with the national team because he was hardly given an audience," Basu writes in the book. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 16:09 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia eye opening win over Philippines
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the Philippines are due to play their Group A football opener of the Asean Championship at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium tomorrow, and they have plenty in common - a new coach and squad. Young Tigers' head coach Nafuzi Zain said: "This is a a new experience for me on the international stage. Most of our players are new too." Malaysia are drawn into a tough Group A alongside hosts Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. While many fans are already eyeing Malaysia's showdown with Indonesia on July 21, Nafuzi isn't taking his eyes off the immediate hurdle. "I'm focused on the first game against the Philippines. "If we win it, it's still not a guarantee, but we'll have one foot in the next round. The goal is to progress to the semi-finals, and a win in our opening match makes the path clearer." The Philippine team also arrived in Jakarta with a newly assembled team and a fresh face in the technical area. Australian coach Garrath McPherson was only officially announced last week, but he brings with him a wealth of experience from both the men's and women's national setups. "For me, football is football," said McPherson, who previously worked with Brisbane Roar and served as an assistant with the Philippines women's team. "The systems and structures apply regardless of the level. We've had good experiences over the past nine months, the King's Cup, Merdeka Cup, and AFF Cup, and we'll draw from those."
