'No System, Strategy, Or Clarity': Bhaichung Bhutia Slams AIFF, Kalyan Chaubey
Bhutia gave a scathing remark on AIFF reportedly offering $ 50,000 bonus to Team India players had they won their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Hong Kong.
Indian football legend Baichung Bhutia gave a scathing remark on the All India Football Federation reportedly offering $ 50,000 bonus to Team India players had they won their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Hong Kong.
India required a win in the crucial encounter following a draw against neighbours Bangladesh earlier in the qualifiers, but the Blue Tigers went down 0-1 to HK on Tuesday in another disappointing result, on the back of a 0-2 defeat to Thailand in the preceding friendly. Bhutia slammed such incentives and called on chief Kalyan Chaubey to step down from the helm of the AIFF.
'We've seen reports that players haven't even received their daily allowance of RS 2,500. Indian footballers don't have central contracts like cricketers. They don't earn in lakhs or crores. Their compensation largely comes through daily allowances," Bhutia explained.
'Then suddenly, out of nowhere, there's a USD 50,000 prize announcement if they had won the game. Where did this come from?"
'If they had won, would the same bonus be offered for the next four games? There's clearly no system, no strategy. Just random decisions with no clarity," he said.
India enjoyed a successful spell in the year 2023 climbing to FIFA Ranking 99 at one point, however, the Blue Tigers had to endure a turbulent 2024 campaign, which they ended winless. Bhutia lambasted Chaubey's work at the helm since taking over as the head of the national federation.
'It's been a terrible two and a half to three years under Kalyan Chaubey's leadership," the former Indian striker said.
'On-field performances have been poor, and off-field management has been chaotic, riddled with controversies," the Sikkimese sniper continued.
'It's time for him to step down—for the sake of Indian football," the 48-year-old added.
(With Inputs From IANS)
First Published:
June 11, 2025, 15:20 IST
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