AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has vehemently denied allegations of financial impropriety and misconduct leveled against him in recent media reports. In a letter to Member Associations and Executive Committee members, Chaubey asserted that he has served a defamation notice on Advocate Nilanjan Bhattacharjee, who initiated the “media trial.”
Chaubey clarified the circumstances surrounding the proposed partnership with IndiGo. He explained that the idea emerged during his tenure as IOA Joint Secretary and was presented to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers. While a sponsorship deal was not feasible, the airline expressed interest in a marketing and promotion partnership. The agreement, which has not been finalized, involves barter arrangements to promote Indian football through IndiGo’s platforms. Chaubey emphasized that there are no potential financial implications or losses for AIFF.
Regarding production tenders, Chaubey stated that I-League production companies were selected after a joint evaluation by AIFF and FSDL. He requested a report from FSDL on the technical evaluation process and the selection of KPS Studio. Chaubey also noted that Bhattacharjee was involved in the tender selection process and did not raise any concerns at the time.
Chaubey addressed allegations of dummy cameras being used by production teams. He has requested the Acting Secretary-General to gather match details and form a committee to review the recordings. He questioned why Bhattacharjee did not report this issue earlier, raising concerns about his credibility and motives.
Chaubey denied allegations of financial wrongdoings, including sharing legal retainership fees, personal use of AIFF credit cards, interference with judicial bodies, and personal trips at AIFF’s expense. He emphasized his commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that the allegations are baseless and intended to malign his reputation.
