Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia has launched a blistering attack on All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey, accusing him of turning the national football body into a “circus” plagued by mismanagement, lack of transparency, and poor decision-making.
“The AIFF today is a circus. And when you put jokers in those positions, it’s bound to become a circus,” Bhutia said during a fiery press conference in Kolkata.
⚽ Bhutia’s Explosive Allegations
- I-League Chaos: Bhutia criticized the AIFF’s handling of the Inter Kashi vs Churchill Brothers title dispute, now pending at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling it “embarrassing” for Indian football.
- 2027 AFC Asian Cup Bid Withdrawal: He questioned why India withdrew its bid and instead agreed to host the Santosh Trophy in Saudi Arabia, alleging financial misuse.
- Vision 2047 Confusion: Bhutia mocked Chaubey’s shifting goals, saying, “He himself doesn’t know what Vision 2047 is”.
- Coaching Appointments: He slammed the appointment of Manolo Marquez without consulting the technical committee and criticized the removal of Igor Stimac, which he believes hurt India’s performance.
- Subrata Paul’s Role: Bhutia questioned the appointment of former goalkeeper Subrata Paul as national team director, calling it a misuse of expertise.
🛡️ Chaubey Hits Back
In response, Chaubey dismissed the allegations as “baseless”, accusing Bhutia of distorting the AIFF’s image since losing the 2022 presidential election.
“He is welcome to raise his concerns at the July 2 Executive Committee meeting,” Chaubey said, inviting Bhutia to contribute constructively.
🏟️ A Divided Football House
The war of words has reignited debate over the state of Indian football governance, with fans and former players weighing in on social media. Bhutia, who heads India’s largest grassroots football program, said he would not contest future elections if government interference continues.
Stay tuned for updates from the July 2 AIFF Executive Committee meeting.
