The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday referred to as for an impartial inquiry into former head coach Igor Stimac’s contract renewal procedures after the Croatian and the nationwide physique agreed to USD 400,000 compensation settlement for terminating him from the job. During the Annual General Body assembly of the AIFF held right here, the members mentioned the renewal, termination and eventual settlement of claims underneath the federation’s contract with Stimac. “The members referred to as for an impartial inquiry into the interior procedures that had been adopted and the personnel that have been concerned when the pinnacle coach’s contract had been renewed in 2023 on unapproved and unfavourable phrases,” the AIFF mentioned.
It famous that Stimac had filed a declare of USD 920,000 earlier than the FIFA Football Tribunal earlier than ultimately getting into right into a full and ultimate settlement with the AIFF.
The AIFF additionally mentioned that the pinnacle coach’s contract renewed in 2023 ultimately left the nationwide physique “in a compromised negotiating place resulting in important monetary detriment to the federation within the settlement of the declare.” The AIFF sacked Stimac in June, terminating his contract precisely a 12 months earlier than it was to run out within the wake of the aspect’s ouster from the second spherical of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers regardless of getting a comparatively straightforward draw.
The sacking was adopted by a bitter confrontation between Stimac and the AIFF with the Croatian threatening to sue the federation if it did not settle his dues inside 10 days. However, the 2 events have now reached an settlement.
In March, sources within the AIFF had mentioned that the preliminary contract signed with Stimac had a severance clause (9.1) which supplied for 3 months’ discover interval. But the later contract (signed in October 2023) didn’t have this clause, and this has created issues for the AIFF so far as sacking of Stimac is worried.
Former AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran had claimed that the contract extension signed with Stimac which didn’t have a severance clause, was “authorised” by president Kalyan Chaubey who, nonetheless, termed the assertion as a “full lie”.
Chaubey had advised PTI that he was in China (for the Hangzhou Asian Games) when the contract was signed (on October 5, 2023) and he was saved in the dead of night.
The AIFF, in its AGM on Tuesday, mentioned that the members additionally “expressed their apprehension as to how a former worker, who not holds any positions in Indian soccer, continues to characterize AIFF in varied committees of the South Asian Football Federation and Asian Football Confederation”.
The members requested the AIFF Executive Committee “to jot down to those our bodies and motion be taken to curtail such practices”.
The unnamed former worker the AIFF was referring to may very well be Prabhakaran, who was sacked by the AIFF final 12 months.
The AIFF additionally mentioned that the Indian nationwide group is about to get a everlasting tackle for high-altitude coaching camps.
“The ExCo members welcomed and accepted the proposal from Arunachal Pradesh Football Association to supply amenities on the newly launched stadium at Tawang, for India nationwide group’s coaching camps.
“Members felt that Tawang, located at 10,000 ft from sea degree, might be a super location for high-altitude camps in future to acclimatize squad in response to the worldwide competitions.” Earlier within the day, the Executive Committee of the AIFF mentioned and proposed to have India U-20 males’s nationwide group within the I-League competitors.
“With an eye fixed on AFC Asian Cup 2026 (2027) and Asian Games 2026 participation, the AIFF is getting ready nicely prematurely having not too long ago assembled an Under 20 squad and can proceed to scout skills on-going foundation.
“The proposal is mooted with an thought to have India U20 play in I-League to make sure gaining aggressive gametime and to take care of match health all year long, as I-League endures lengthy season. The India U20 nationwide group will get amnesty from promotion-relegation.” PTI PDS PDS KHS
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