The All India Football Federation’s general body has stopped a proposal to break its ₹20 crore fixed deposit to pay what it owes for last month’s friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey made the proposal at an online Special General Body Meeting on Sunday, 1 November, officials who attended told PTI and The Times of India.
Brazil and Uruguay played India in Kolkata in October, and Panama played India in Bengaluru. The Times of India reported that Panama have been paid in full, but Brazil and Uruguay have received only 50% of their appearance fees. It put the amounts still due at about ₹19 crore for Brazil and ₹4.7 crore for Uruguay, and said the AIFF has asked for more time to pay.
Officials said Chaubey asked members to approve taking money out of the deposit before it matures, and said he would later raise funds from outside and put the money back. AIFF vice-president NA Haris objected, pointing to an earlier executive committee decision that the deposit cannot be used. Other members said the fund is only for emergencies. Former AIFF president Praful Patel also spoke against the plan.
The size of the deficit was not disclosed at the meeting because of confidentiality clauses in the contracts. Estimates put the cost of the three friendlies at ₹80 crore to ₹85 crore. Chaubey declined to comment, telling PTI it was an internal meeting.
Ticket sales fell short. The federation had hoped for ₹30 crore to ₹40 crore from tickets, The Times of India reported, but high prices kept sales down. The AIFF offered discounted tickets to supporters of Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting, and a buy-one-get-one-free offer for the Brazil match. It may also have to return part of a ₹25 crore advance paid by its ticketing partner.
Haris will now chair a smaller group of general body members to go through the details, and the question of using the deposit will then go back to the executive committee. Members also asked how the federation will pay for the Santosh Trophy, other championships and development programmes while it keeps losing money.
