Jaydeep Basu

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF: MORE CULPRITS LURKING IN THE DARK  

In the recent Special General Meeting of the AIFF, the members were left in shock after the fed president, Kalyan Chaubey, reportedly refused to divulge the financial details of the three friendly matches against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay, citing a “confidentiality clause." The news attracted considerable media attention.

However, Chaubey wasn’t the only person who played a role in keeping the members in the dark on the three matches that allegedly caused huge financial loss to the AIFF. The deputy secretary general and the head of the AIFF administration, M. Satyanarayan, is equally responsible for failing to uphold the sanctity of the AIFF constitution.

Article 72.1 (i) of the AIFF constitution under the Transparency clause says: “All payments and expenditures made by the AIFF which is in excess of Rs.25,00,000 (Indian Rupees Twenty Five Lakhs) shall be enumerated and uploaded on the website.”

The AIFF secretariat has permanently failed to live up to its constitutional duty. Not once, but on several occasions. 

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF: SOM ELECTIONS

Four men and five women candidates have filed their nominations to contest the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections to represent the SOMs in the AIFF General Body.

MEN: U Saraf Ali, Jo Paul Ancheri, Bruno Coutinho, and Mushtaque Ali.

WOMEN: Sukla Dutta, Bentla Dcoth, Kalpana Das, Bembem Devi, and Sradhanjali Samantaray.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF: ELECTIONS CODE OF CONDUCT

In a circular a few days ago, the Electoral Officer of the AIFF said the Code of Conduct (CoC) for the elections is already in place. Though he hasn’t specified the rules, Article 5.7 in Schedule III of the AIFF constitution can safely be assumed as the CoC.

It has some interesting points for possible candidates to keep in mind, like:

1. Exclude any form of publicity, including the use of new media or social networks, and no use, free of charge or in return for payment, of the services of a journalist or the media may be made in order to place a candidate at an advantage or a disadvantage;

2. In no case, and under no pretext, give presents, offer donations, gifts or grant advantages of whatever nature, directly or indirectly, to voting members;

3. Any incumbent Office-Bearer contesting an election, shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that they have used their official position for the purposes of their election campaign and in particular shall not use official transport including vehicles, machinery and personnel for furtherance of their campaign;

4. Sanction grants or payments out of discretionary funds from the time elections are announced; and enter into any promise or undertaking to be performed, whatever the timing of such performance, for the direct or indirect benefit of any of the AIFF's Members or its partners.

We sincerely hope the EO is keeping a close watch. A section in the AIFF feels there are enough chances of the rules being violated.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF SOM ELECTIONS

Mr. Rajeev Sharma, (retired State Election Commissioner) Haryana, has formally taken over the role of conducting the AIFF elections scheduled for December 20, 2026.

Sharma, who released the list of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM), both men and women, has issued the notice for the SOM elections, to be held on November 23, 2026. Four SOMs will be elected to the general body.

The list of SOMs in the men’s and women’s categories have 20 names each, underlining the fact that most of the top retired Indian footballers have chosen to ignore to apply. There are some surprising inclusion in the list whose eligibility might be in question.

With the appointment of Mr. Sharma, the election code of conduct has come in place in the AIFF.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF NEVER RUNS FOR COVER

Around 18,000 seat covers (colours: deep saffron, white and India green) were ordered and purchased for the two friendly matches against Brazil and Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. It reportedly cost Rs. 1.20 crores.

We are not sure who picked up the bill. Once the matches were over, the seat covers were removed from the stadium and dumped in the open outside the gate of the AIFF-run National Centre of Excellence (NCE) in New Town, Kolkata, to rot under the sun and rain.

An open exhibition of AIFF’s administrative excellence.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF: INDEPENDENT FORENSIC AUDIT NEEDED

The outcome of yesterday's AIFF Special General Meeting has made a few things crystal clear for everyone to see and form their own opinions, creating a stir in the football fraternity in the last 24 hours.

First, the three high-profile friendly matches against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay, promoted by the AIFF as the turning point of Indian football, were complete misadventures. It has brought financial doom for the federation and may tarnish the image of the AIFF in the international arena.

Second, the AIFF is now a divided house on this issue. Otherwise, a proposal tabled by the AIFF President wouldn’t have been questioned by more than half a dozen state associations like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bengal, Delhi, Odisha, Kerala, Rajasthan, etc. It was like a defeat for the AIFF President on the floor of the house, the most embarrassing moment for an elected official.

It is not about breaking the fixed deposit alone. It is also about breaking the faith of those who thought Indian football was in trustworthy hands. No one knows who proposed and cleared the hosting of matches that will cost Rs. 63 crores in appearance fees alone. Nobody is sure whether the AIFF Finance Committee was consulted and the necessary permission was taken before dragging the national federation into this unbelievable muddle.

Some members are now claiming that no budget was placed before the Executive Committee for the three matches; the agreement with the Brazil federation was signed a week before the Exco meeting was informed, a gross violation of the laid-down procedure. To cap it off, the agreement was signed by a couple of paid employees of the AIFF, while members were kept in dark.

As the AIFF President remained stubborn in his refusal to table the accounts of the three friendlies and their details, it gave rise to an uneasy feeling that not everything was in order in it. To make things clear, it is time for an independent forensic audit team immediately appointed to look into the book that allegedly has left the AIFF in debt over Rs. 35 crores.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF: ATTEMPT TO BREAK FIXED DEPOSIT STALLED

A proposal from the AIFF top brass to break the Rs. 20 crores fixed deposit to clear the huge financial debt created from the hosting of friendly matches against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay was stalled by the members in the virtual AIFF Special General Meeting today.

While the proposal to break the FD was brought in by the AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, at least three senior members vehemently opposed the move and demanded that the financial balance sheet of the three high-profile friendly matches be immediately tabled. Neither Chaubey nor the Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan, however, was ready to spell out the exact numbers.

After a nearly two-hour debate failed to break the deadlock and persuade the members to agree with the management, it was decided to form a committee to look into the matter. The AIFF Vice President NA Haris may head the committee.

It may be recalled that prior to the three friendlies, former India captain and AIFF Executive Committee member Bhaichung Bhutia alleged the federation was looking forward to breaking the FD to organise the matches. The next day, the AIFF issued a statement calling the allegation false and threatened to take legal action against anyone trying to tarnish the image of the AIFF.

Unofficial sources claimed the AIFF owes around Rs. 26 crores to Brazil and Uruguay as appearance fees and a serious amount of money to its vendors.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF: A TRUNCATED SIDE LIKELY AGAINST PAKISTAN

India are expected to travel to Dhaka for the SAFF Championship without a full squad for the first match against Pakistan on Nov 5. While the defending champions will have an insufficient bench strength (18-20) in the tournament opener, eight to 10 more players will join Naushad Moosa’s side after the first match.

The initial set of players, who have been released by their clubs since they don't have any ISL/IFL engagements after Nov 1, will assemble in Kolkata on Nov 2 for a possible training session before flying to Dhaka the following day.

While the SAFF Championship starts on Nov 5, the FIFA International match calendar opens on Nov 9, two days before India play their second group league match against the Maldives. As per the FIFA rules, it is mandatory for clubs to release players four days before the start of the FIFA Window.

Though the AIFF has the plan to field a U23 side for SAFF because of its commitment to the tour of New Zealand, a couple of senior players could be picked up for Dhaka, as they are unlikely to make the cut for the Kiwi travel.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

WILL INDIA BE THERE FOR SAFF?

India's participation in the 2026 SAFF Championship remains in jeopardy despite an earlier statement issued by the organisers saying the defending champions will arrive in Dhaka in time.

With 11 days to go for India to take on Pakistan in the tournament opener, the AIFF is yet to release the list of probables, leave alone the dates for the training camp. Sources said the AIFF is struggling to raise a decent side after the clubs made clear of their reluctance to release players outside the FIFA window dates.

While the next FIFA international match calendar is between Nov 9 to 17, the SAFF group league matches start from Nov 5. Since the MG ISL matches will be in full swing till Nov 7, the chances of the clubs releasing players or the SAFF organisers postponing the meet by a few days look remote.

The development is a sad reflection of the AIFF's administration. Even a moderately alert management could have broken the stalemate long ago by talking to the clubs and the SAFF organisers. Instead, it allowed the problem to grow and push India to an embarrassing position that will do no good to its regional hegemony.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF POSTPONES SANTOSH TROPHY

The AIFF is currently on a postponement spree. After deferring the Sub-junior Boys National Championship, which was supposed to start this month, it has now decided to postpone the Senior Men’s National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy. Kerala was scheduled to host it in December.

Both championships have been pushed to January 2027, a clear indication that the current committee headed by Kalyan Chaubey has conveniently decided to wash its hands off, leaving it for the new committee to take a call after the AIFF elections on December 20.

A SAMBA EFFECT ON AIFF COFFERS?

Sources in the AIFF claimed that the federation exchequer has been left high and dry after the high-cost friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay. Its cash flow is at its all-time low, which can lead to the shelving of more NFCs. The postponement of the Santosh Trophy to January may turn the IFL 2 into a non-starter because of a clash of dates.

STRANGE REASONINGS

While putting the Santosh Trophy on hold, the AIFF, in a letter to the state FAs, said, “Upon reviewing the current operational landscape across various member associations, it has come to our attention that several Member State Associations are presently conducting or preparing for their elections. Recognizing that these administrative processes require significant focus, resources, and coordination, AIFF has evaluated the situation to ensure full participation and smooth conduct of the tournament.

“In order to allow state associations sufficient time to complete their electoral proceedings and subsequently assemble and prepare their representative teams without disruption, the AIFF has decided to postpone the 80th Santosh Trophy National Football Championship to January 2027.”

First, the AIFF has made it abundantly clear that elections are more important than the 85-year-old Santosh Trophy. Secondly and curiously enough, sources said that no state association has so far written to the AIFF urging the Santosh Trophy postponement in light of their upcoming elections.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

INDIA WITHDRAW FROM DHAKA SAFF?

India have withdrawn from the SAFF Championships to be held in Dhaka next month, the leading Bangladesh daily "Kalbela" reported today. It said that India are backing out despite one of the AIFF's senior officials attending the draw ceremony last month with all the assurances of participation.

The AIFF is yet to make any official announcement in this regard. But given the current nature of political equations between India and Bangladesh, the AIFF decision to withdraw from the regional meet could be labelled as an unwarranted and tactless one. One won't be surprised to find the issue snowball into a major controversy.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

DSA ELECTIONS UPDATE

BS Mehra is set to become the new President of the Delhi Soccer Association.

His sole rival and the current incumbent of the post, Anuj Gupta, has reportedly withdrawn his candidature, leaving Mehra the only candidate in the fray.

The DSA elections are scheduled for October 18, 2026.

#IndianFootball

[IFF NEWS @iFF_News]

🚨 ISL POST-MATCH SHOW | TONIGHT! 🚨

The ISL 2026-27 season is underway! 🔥

Join us as we dissect today’s opening double-header — Bengaluru FC vs SC Delhi & FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC.

⚽ Goals
🔥 Key moments
⭐ Standout performers
🧠 Tactical analysis
🎙️ Expert reactions

Who impressed? Who disappointed? And what did we learn from Day 1?

📺 Join us LIVE for the ISL Post-Match Show!

#ISL #ISL2026 #IndianFootball #ISLPostMatch

Link - https://t.co/suK8znkKuD

Time - 9.30 PM

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

INDIAN FOOTBALL: A FEW RANDOM THOUGHTS

A bout of rain and thunderstorm temporarily stopped the FIFA friendly between India and Uruguay at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on October 6, 2026. When the weather cleared and the match resumed, it turned out to be a fresh thunderstorm in and around the Indian goal area. Uruguay pumped in six and conceded one.

Was it a thunderstorm? Or the warning growl? Maybe the panic of wings regarding what was about to hit us. We were completely unprepared. We didn’t know whether our fate was painted in bruised purple or charcoal-black. We were caught unaware.

In two matches against Brazil and Uruguay, India conceded 10. We heard the experts say that it was expected; they also said India should play matches of such magnitude more regularly. It will help Indian football develop and prosper.

Once we checked the backgrounds of these dream merchants, we knew more. They are agents who sell such dreams to help their bank balance grow. They have deep contacts in the system, make adjustments, and know the right people.

The Indian football ecosystem reportedly spent around Rs. 70 crores to host football giants like Brazil, Uruguay, and Panama. The visitors departed with fat purses in their pockets. We basked in the glory of hosting two former multiple-time World Cup winners as the number of unpaid bills piled up on our desks. The effort may leave our own federation a pauper, but who cares?

To keep it precise, do you really care? We don’t bother about our grassroots, hardly give a second thought about youth development, and have never been serious about the national teams right from the age group level. Life is all about picnics to us; it’s about partying and instant fun.

Hosting Brazil and Uruguay was integral part of it. We were truly a resounding success in this.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

PERFECT SAYING

Eyes that I last saw in tears/Through division/Here in death's dream kingdom/The golden vision reappears/I see the eyes but not the tears/This is my affliction.

TS Eliot

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF: A COUPLE OF DUBIOUS RECORDS SET

Record One: The 1-6 loss against Uruguay is the biggest margin of defeat for the Blue Tigers in Kolkata.

Record two: Never before India conceded 10 goals in two back-to-back matches on home soil. (0-4 against Brazil, 1-6 against Uruguay)

NB: India also tasted defeats at the Salt Lake Stadium for the first time in nearly 20 years.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

THE PLIGHT OF A FORMER INDIA CAPTAIN

Nili Ghosh captained India when pursuing a career in football was a taboo for Indian women, an outrageous act to the so-called guardians of the society. Nili was an exception; she maintained a good academic career, landed a good job in the government sector, and yet turned out to be a brilliant inside striker who played at the highest level throughout the 1970s.

Life has not been kind to the former India regular in the last few years. Senior journalist and author Nirmal Kumar Saha has recently reported that Nili is now spending her days in a psycho-social rehabilitation centre and old age home in South 24 Parganas of West Bengal, where she was admitted four years ago. Currently she is enjoying perfect mental and physical health but is unable to leave the centre because of some legal complications.

Touching 70, Nili is frustrated and lonely. It is time for someone in the football fraternity to come forward and provide the necessary legal and additional assistance to one of the pioneers of women’s football in India so she can return to the mainstream.

In the photos, we can see Nili with her former national teammate Kuntala Ghosh Dastidar and during her younger days. (Photo courtesy: Nirmal Kumar Saha)

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF: PRESIDENT'S COMMITMENT

The AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has informed the General Body that he will take responsibility in case any financial loss is suffered after the three high profile Friendlies organised by the federation. No money will be taken from the AIFF account.

It is feared the AIFF may incur a loss of Rs. 25-30 cr after the completion of the three matches.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

The AIFF elections will be held on December 20, 2026.

#IndianFootball

[Jaydeep Basu @jaydeepbasu]

AIFF: QUESTIONS THAT WILL NEVER BE RAISED

The following questions will not be asked or discussed in the AIFF Executive Committee and Special General Meeting to be held in Kolkata today, October 4, 2026. The Rip Van Winkle(s) of the AIFF will prefer to remain asleep at the Catskill Mountains for 20 years, while the AIFF treasury is looted and the future of Indian football is ripped apart with a vengeance.

1) Was the Rs. 70 crore budget (approx.) for the three FIFA Friendlies discussed in the last Exco meeting? If it was, could you please clarify why it didn’t appear in the minutes?

2) Was this budget submitted with the Finance Committee? If it was, then on what grounds was it approved?

3) Contracts for crores of rupees have been given to the vendors for the three matches. Was the tender process as per the AIFF rules followed in each case? Can the head of administration place it on record?

4) What exactly is the financial health of the AIFF currently? How much of its money has been used for the three Friendlies, and when it would be reimbursed?

5) How much debt the AIFF is expected to incur from the three Friendlies? What are the heads on which the money is yet to be paid? How would it be paid?

#IndianFootball