Great Indian football drama: AIFF counters sacked head coach Stimac’s allegations

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has responded to allegations levelled by Igor Stimac after he was sacked as the Indian men’s senior team head coach. AIFF clarified the reasons for Stimac’s sacking whilst also shedding light on the Croatian’s ‘misdeeds’ during the coaching tenure. 

“Mr Stimac’s communication – apparently made with the sole intent of maligning the AIFF and showing its personnel in poor light – is not befitting of a professional who has served the organisation for over 5 years and was extended the full support of the AIFF during this period,” the statement read. 

Stimac was sacked after India failed to advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. However, Stimac, who took the job in 2019, did not go down quietly and held a press conference where he said Indian football will not grow until AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey remains in the position. 

The federation, however, claimed to have provided Stimac full support, including autonomy in team selections, venues and support staff, adding that they facilitated player releases beyond FIFA windows. 

While Stimac refused to address the question about having an astrologer in the backroom staff to pick the playing XIs, AIFF seemingly confirmed the accusation. 

“The new AIFF leadership was shocked to note his dependence on an astrologer to determine player’s call ups, team selections and took immediate necessary action to end the same,” AIFF said. 

AIFF on GPS devices and heart surgery

AIFF also issued a clarification on claims made by Stimac that the federation did not provide the GPS devices to the Indian squad during training. 

“Mr Stimac is aware that the team’s GPS equipment was lost by the airline in transit during the team’s travel in September 2023 from New Delhi to Hangzhou for the Asian Games,” read the clarification. 

“When it became clear that recovery was unlikely, new devices were ordered and arrived in India in March 2024 after completion of essential procedural formalities. The vests were immediately made available to the team for the all-important leg of the FIFA World Cup qualifier starting from day one of the Bhubaneshwar camp, i.e. 10th May 2024 onwards.”

The AIFF expressed shock that Stimac blamed the board for causing his heart ailment. The Croatian claimed he had heart surgery while in charge of the Indian side, highlighting the stress level during his stint. 

“He has irresponsibly blamed the AIFF for causing his heart ailment, attempting to deflect the serious matter of his not having been medically fit to render coaching services and his failure to formally disclose the same to the AIFF.” 

While the drama between AIFF and Stimac escalates, the Indian team remains without a head coach. AIFF has opened the application process but so far, no big name has been attached to the job. 

(With inputs from agencies)