The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has taken cognizance of the corruption allegations leveled against All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey by the organization’s former legal head, Nilanjan Bhattacharjee. The AFC has requested Bhattacharjee to submit a detailed written report outlining his allegations and supporting evidence by March 18, 2024.
Bhattacharjee, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accused Chaubey of involvement in non-transparent tender processes and attempts to misappropriate federation funds for personal expenses. Chaubey has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and accusing Bhattacharjee of attempting to damage his reputation.
The AFC’s intervention highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the potential impact on Indian football’s reputation. Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has also weighed in, calling for Chaubey’s resignation and new elections to clean up the AIFF administration.
Bhattacharjee has remained steadfast in his position, claiming that he refused to sign a “lopsided” agreement with Indigo Airlines during his tenure, which would have provided a minimum guarantee of Rs 7 crore for content creation rights without any incentive for Indian football.
Chaubey has provided a point-by-point rebuttal to Bhattacharjee’s allegations, but Bhattacharjee has vowed to submit all his evidence to the AFC. He has also invited others concerned about Indian football to share any information they may have.
The AFC’s investigation could have significant consequences for Indian football. If the allegations are substantiated, it could lead to sanctions against the AIFF and damage the reputation of the sport in the country. The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched by all stakeholders in Indian football.
