AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran has clearly disputed suggestions that the AIFF is attempting to keep Indian Football Team players after the FIFA deadline has closed. AIFF has been accused of doing the same by failing to provide them with return tickets from Thailand following the King’s Cup.
“The allegations made on social media are false, the players will return to India according to the plan”, Shaji told The Bridge.
The debate revolves around the uncertain return of players who competed in the 49th King’s Cup. According to the Hindustan Times, the initial AIFF letter to clubs stated that players would return on September 11. The Indian Football Team will compete in the Asian Games, which begins on September 19.
With the ISL season starting on September 21, clubs were unwilling to release their players for national team duty. Fearing that they would miss important league matches, the teams declined to participate in the upcoming Asian Games.
The Asian Games opener versus China coincides with the first day of the 2023/24 ISL season. However, there is uncertainty around player releases, return tickets, and their availability for both the Asian Games and the ISL.
ISL vs AIFF gets serious! No return tickets for players in India King’s…
There had been speculation about AIFF’s priorities and whether they would be stranding players. However according to Bridge, Shaji Prabhakaran has categorically denied the charges. Thus stressing that the AIFF will ensure that players return to their respective clubs in accordance with the original plan.
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