Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, a vocal critic of AIFF, has slammed Indian federation after Shaji Prabhakaran’s unceremoniously dismissal. He has also called for new elections.
Bhaichung Bhutia, a former Indian footballer, has always been critical about the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Bhaichung Bhutia intensified on Wednesday his attack against AIFF President Kalyan Chobey after the sacking AIFF secretary Shaji Prbhakaran. The former India captain claimed Shaji Prabhakaran had been made the ‘scapegoat’. He also demanded new AIFF elections.
Wednesday afternoon, the AIFF fired its secretary Shaji Prabakarn rather unceremoniously. AIFF found Prabhakaran in ‘breach of trust’.
Bhaichung – the candidate Chaubey defeated last year in the AIFF President election – has criticised AIFF President and claimed that all members of the team, including President, are responsible for current situations.
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What is this breach – Bhaichung Bhutia
“The breach in trust should not only be on Shaji, but also all the AIFF members, including the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer.” Where is this breach? What is this breach that everyone wants to know?” Bhutia asked this in an interview with the news agency PTI.
“Each time the president and secretary have taken the important decisions together, including Asian Games and withdrawing the bid to host Asia Cup. But they are making Shaji the scapegoat in this case. This mess is due to the entire team: president, secretary-general, vice-president, and treasurer. Everyone should go, and elections should be conducted under the new constitution.” he demanded.
“I am not surprised that Shaji was fired. Since the new management took over, there have been massive mismanagement.” Bhutia is now added.
Bhutia: Need new elections
Bhutia also downplayed the current AIFF body’s validity, labelling it as an ‘interim body’. “The election that took place at the time was temporary for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. It was held to lift the ban.
“It is an interim body that is currently in power. The Supreme Court has drafted a new constitution. The Supreme Court has approved a new constitution. I believe that, under this constitution, elections must be held immediately. It’s the only way to save Indian football… A new set of members have to come in, a new body should be formed. Only then can Indian football be saved and brought back on track,” Bhutia added.