Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has always been critical of the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) workings. Bhaichung on Wednesday intensified his attack on AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey following the sacking of AIFF secretary Shaji Prabhakaran. The former India captain claimed Shaji Prabhakaran had been made the ‘scapegoat’. He also demanded fresh AIFF polls.
The AIFF sacked its secretary Shaji Prabhakaran rather unceremoniously on Wednesday afternoon. AIFF found Prabhakaran in ‘breach of trust’.
Bhaichung, whom Chaubey defeated in last year’s AIFF President election, criticised the AIFF President and claimed the whole team including the President is responsible for the ongoing situation.
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What is this breach: Bhaichung Bhutia
“The breach of trust should not be on Shaji alone but all the members heading the AIFF, including the president, vice-president and treasurer. Where has this breach happened, what is this breach everybody wants to know?” Bhutia asked in an interview with news agency PTI.
“Every time, the president and secretary together, have taken the key decisions including Asian Games and the withdrawal of bidding to host the Asia Cup. But they are making Shaji a scapegoat here. The entire team of president, secretary general, vice-president and treasurer are responsible for this mess. Everyone should go and elections should be held under the new constitution,” he demanded.
“I’m not surprised by the sacking of Shaji. From the time the new management has taken over, there has been huge mismanagement,” Bhutia added.
Need fresh elections: Bhutia
Bhutia also downplayed the current AIFF body’s validity, labelling it as an ‘interim body’. “The election (which) happened at that time was a temporary one for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. It was held for the ban to be lifted.
“It’s an interim body which is in power right now. The Supreme Court has formed a new constitution. There is a case going on, and that has been approved. So I think, under that constitution, the elections should happen 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 football can be saved in India and brought back on track,” Bhutia said.
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