New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday said it will announce the Indian football team for the upcoming season.aiff) has made serious allegations against the former men’s team head coach Igor StimacHe claimed that he was trying to show that Indian Football A negative image of the community was presented on the international platform.
The federation said Stimac’s five-year tenure was filled with excuses and failures, which became synonymous with his tenure.
The AIFF strongly refuted Stimac’s allegations, saying it had provided the coach with all the necessary resources and support to improve the team’s performance. The federation emphasised its unwavering commitment to the betterment of Indian football and its players.
In a detailed statement, the AIFF expressed its belief that Stimac’s recent press conference, which was held just four days after his sacking, was aimed only at tarnishing the federation’s reputation. The AIFF reiterated its commitment to transparency and fairness in all its dealings with coaches and players.
“This conduct of Stimac has further strengthened the AIFF’s belief that the right decision has been taken to terminate his contract and move on in the best interests of Indian football,” the AIFF said in a statement, according to PTI.
Stimac sharply criticises AIFF president kalyan choubeyHe said his stepping down would benefit the prospects of football in India. The Croatian coach said the beloved sport is stabilising in the country.
In response to Stimac’s allegations, the AIFF issued a statement refuting his claims.
“Stimac was given complete freedom to act as per the discussions with the team manager, including selection of venues, support staff, travel days.”
“His specific requests, especially for various support staff of his choice, were always supported by the AIFF in the interest of the national team.
In its defence, the federation said, “The AIFF negotiated with the clubs and FSDL (AIFF’s commercial partner) to release the players, and give the coaches maximum time for preparation, which often goes beyond the FIFA window.”
Stimac was removed from his post after the team was unable to advance past the third round. FIFA World Cup QualifiersFollowing his sacking, Stimac made serious allegations against his former employers.
The Croatian coach said Indian football finds itself in a state of captivity, and used the word “imprisonment” to describe the current situation.
“Except for the request for a charter flight to Abha, Saudi Arabia, for which they were informed about the challenges in arranging it on time, all their other demands were met,” the AIFF said.
The federation also took note of Stimac’s claim about the team’s training conditions. According to Stimac, the players were forced to practice for over 200 days without access to GPS jackets. The federation responded to this claim made by the coach.
“Mr Stimac is aware that the team’s GPS device was lost by the airline during its journey from New Delhi to Hangzhou for the Asian Games in September 2023.
He said, “These are expensive equipment and several attempts were made to recover the items, but to no avail. When it became clear that it was not possible to recover the items, new equipment was ordered and after completing the necessary procedural formalities, these equipment reached India in March 2024.”
“The jackets were immediately made available to the team for the crucial phase of the match.” FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
“While it is true that the GPS jackets were not available to the team for approximately 50 days of training and playing matches, the coach’s statement that the GPS devices were not available for over 200 days is clearly misleading and an attempt to exaggerate the matter.”
Stimac took charge of the Indian national team in 2019 after the ouster of Stephen Constantine.
The 56-year-old Stimac revealed during a recent press conference that he had received a stern warning from the AIFF just before the Asian Cup. The reason behind this warning was his attempt to convince the federation about the importance of the World Cup qualifiers.
In response, the AIFF said Stimac attempted to paint Indian football in a negative light while attending the 3rd AFC National Coaches Conference in Malaysia as the federation’s representative. The event took place from May 7 to May 9.
“In conversations with AFC officials and the hosts, Mr Stimac publicly stated that he had only four support staff during his tenure as the coach of the India Senior Men’s National Team.
“It is well known that Mr Stimac always had a contingent of 13 to 16 support staff for every camp and tournament. In fact, for the Asian Cup, he insisted on having an additional goalkeeper coach and a freekick specialist.
“The AIFF never objected to these additional demands. It is clear that Mr Stimac deliberately misrepresented facts in order to gain sympathy from coaches of other countries and the AFC by damaging the reputation of India, the AIFF and Indian football.”
The AIFF revealed that when Igor Stimac’s contract was due to be renewed in October 2023, the core committee led by vice-president NA Haris had already met. They suggested giving Stimac a “two-year contract with a monthly salary of US$30,000 from January 2024” and instructed the legal team to draft a contract with an “AIFF-friendly termination clause”.
However, just a day after his sacking, Stimac issued an ultimatum to the AIFF, threatening to take legal action at a FIFA tribunal if his dues of US$360,000 were not paid within 10 days.
A day after his sacking, Stimac threatened to file a case against the AIFF at a FIFA tribunal if his dues (US$360,000) were not paid within 10 days.
“The executed contract provides for salary hike to US$ 30,000 per month from February 2024-January 2025 (approved by the Core Committee) and US$ 40,000 per month from February 2024-January 2026 (without Core Committee approval for the said amount).
“The specific instructions regarding insertion of termination clause in favour of AIFF before executing the contract were also not followed. However, certain termination clauses were retained in the contract for reasons to be stated,” AIFF said.
Stimac revealed that the pressure and challenges associated with his role have taken a toll on his health. He revealed that he had to undergo a medical procedure to treat a heart problem. The AIFF was shocked by Stimac’s statement and expressed surprise at his revelation.
“It is ironic that the man who was the key person controlling the destiny of the national team believes that Indian football is in captivity and has not developed. It has become fashionable to blame the entire system, especially when you don’t want to take any personal responsibility.”
The federation said Stimac’s five-year tenure was filled with excuses and failures, which became synonymous with his tenure.
The AIFF strongly refuted Stimac’s allegations, saying it had provided the coach with all the necessary resources and support to improve the team’s performance. The federation emphasised its unwavering commitment to the betterment of Indian football and its players.
In a detailed statement, the AIFF expressed its belief that Stimac’s recent press conference, which was held just four days after his sacking, was aimed only at tarnishing the federation’s reputation. The AIFF reiterated its commitment to transparency and fairness in all its dealings with coaches and players.
“This conduct of Stimac has further strengthened the AIFF’s belief that the right decision has been taken to terminate his contract and move on in the best interests of Indian football,” the AIFF said in a statement, according to PTI.
Stimac sharply criticises AIFF president kalyan choubeyHe said his stepping down would benefit the prospects of football in India. The Croatian coach said the beloved sport is stabilising in the country.
In response to Stimac’s allegations, the AIFF issued a statement refuting his claims.
“Stimac was given complete freedom to act as per the discussions with the team manager, including selection of venues, support staff, travel days.”
“His specific requests, especially for various support staff of his choice, were always supported by the AIFF in the interest of the national team.
In its defence, the federation said, “The AIFF negotiated with the clubs and FSDL (AIFF’s commercial partner) to release the players, and give the coaches maximum time for preparation, which often goes beyond the FIFA window.”
Stimac was removed from his post after the team was unable to advance past the third round. FIFA World Cup QualifiersFollowing his sacking, Stimac made serious allegations against his former employers.
The Croatian coach said Indian football finds itself in a state of captivity, and used the word “imprisonment” to describe the current situation.
“Except for the request for a charter flight to Abha, Saudi Arabia, for which they were informed about the challenges in arranging it on time, all their other demands were met,” the AIFF said.
The federation also took note of Stimac’s claim about the team’s training conditions. According to Stimac, the players were forced to practice for over 200 days without access to GPS jackets. The federation responded to this claim made by the coach.
“Mr Stimac is aware that the team’s GPS device was lost by the airline during its journey from New Delhi to Hangzhou for the Asian Games in September 2023.
He said, “These are expensive equipment and several attempts were made to recover the items, but to no avail. When it became clear that it was not possible to recover the items, new equipment was ordered and after completing the necessary procedural formalities, these equipment reached India in March 2024.”
“The jackets were immediately made available to the team for the crucial phase of the match.” FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
“While it is true that the GPS jackets were not available to the team for approximately 50 days of training and playing matches, the coach’s statement that the GPS devices were not available for over 200 days is clearly misleading and an attempt to exaggerate the matter.”
Stimac took charge of the Indian national team in 2019 after the ouster of Stephen Constantine.
The 56-year-old Stimac revealed during a recent press conference that he had received a stern warning from the AIFF just before the Asian Cup. The reason behind this warning was his attempt to convince the federation about the importance of the World Cup qualifiers.
In response, the AIFF said Stimac attempted to paint Indian football in a negative light while attending the 3rd AFC National Coaches Conference in Malaysia as the federation’s representative. The event took place from May 7 to May 9.
“In conversations with AFC officials and the hosts, Mr Stimac publicly stated that he had only four support staff during his tenure as the coach of the India Senior Men’s National Team.
“It is well known that Mr Stimac always had a contingent of 13 to 16 support staff for every camp and tournament. In fact, for the Asian Cup, he insisted on having an additional goalkeeper coach and a freekick specialist.
“The AIFF never objected to these additional demands. It is clear that Mr Stimac deliberately misrepresented facts in order to gain sympathy from coaches of other countries and the AFC by damaging the reputation of India, the AIFF and Indian football.”
The AIFF revealed that when Igor Stimac’s contract was due to be renewed in October 2023, the core committee led by vice-president NA Haris had already met. They suggested giving Stimac a “two-year contract with a monthly salary of US$30,000 from January 2024” and instructed the legal team to draft a contract with an “AIFF-friendly termination clause”.
However, just a day after his sacking, Stimac issued an ultimatum to the AIFF, threatening to take legal action at a FIFA tribunal if his dues of US$360,000 were not paid within 10 days.
A day after his sacking, Stimac threatened to file a case against the AIFF at a FIFA tribunal if his dues (US$360,000) were not paid within 10 days.
“The executed contract provides for salary hike to US$ 30,000 per month from February 2024-January 2025 (approved by the Core Committee) and US$ 40,000 per month from February 2024-January 2026 (without Core Committee approval for the said amount).
“The specific instructions regarding insertion of termination clause in favour of AIFF before executing the contract were also not followed. However, certain termination clauses were retained in the contract for reasons to be stated,” AIFF said.
Stimac revealed that the pressure and challenges associated with his role have taken a toll on his health. He revealed that he had to undergo a medical procedure to treat a heart problem. The AIFF was shocked by Stimac’s statement and expressed surprise at his revelation.
“It is ironic that the man who was the key person controlling the destiny of the national team believes that Indian football is in captivity and has not developed. It has become fashionable to blame the entire system, especially when you don’t want to take any personal responsibility.”
