Gangtok: Former Indian football captain and All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive member Bhaichung Bhutia has launched a scathing attack on AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, alleging a string of decisions that have severely damaged Indian football.
Bhutia criticised the federation’s abrupt withdrawal from the bid to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and raised serious concerns over the subsequent decision to host the Santosh Trophy in Saudi Arabia, calling for a transparent investigation into the links between the two events.
“We were among the final two bidders, along with Saudi Arabia, for the 2027 Asian Cup. The government, the federation, and many stakeholders had invested significant resources in the bid. And then, without any discussion in the Executive Committee, the bid was pulled out. Why was that done? What was promised in return?” Bhutia asked.
He further questioned the AIFF’s decision to hold the Santosh Trophy in Saudi Arabia shortly after India’s withdrawal from the 2027 bid. “What is the logic of taking the Santosh Trophy to Saudi? What kind of deal was struck? These decisions cannot be brushed aside. They must be investigated by an independent and neutral panel,” he said.
Bhutia alleged that Indian football may have been used as a bargaining tool for private or political gain, calling the sequence of events surrounding the Saudi connection “deeply suspicious.” “If Saudi was left without a competitor because India stepped aside, and then we send our domestic championship there, you have to ask: was there an understanding behind the scenes?”
The former Indian football striker was blunt in his assessment of the AIFF under Chaubey’s leadership. “This is one of the worst phases I have seen in AIFF’s history. There’s no direction, no professionalism, and certainly no accountability. The decisions being taken are not in the interest of football,” he said.
Bhutia also dismissed criticism that his remarks were driven by personal rivalry. “It’s not about me. It’s about the future of Indian football. The entire football community can see what is happening.
Kalyan has never played a match for the senior national team, yet is heading the federation. And now he’s using the post for political visibility. That’s the problem.”
He pointed to broader issues in AIFF governance over the past three years, including frequent changes in General Secretaries, declining FIFA rankings for both the men’s and women’s teams, and widespread dissatisfaction within the footballing fraternity. “We’ve had three General Secretaries in three years. The men’s team has slipped in the rankings, and the women’s side has also suffered. We are not just standing still—we are going backwards.”
Bhutia raised alarms about the sidelining of internal committees and the lack of consultation in major decisions. “When we were discussing the appointment of the national team coach, I objected to the way it was handled. The technical committee was bypassed completely. What’s the point of having structures if they are not respected?”
The former captain reiterated that none of the allegations he has raised are personal or unfounded. “Many of the things I’ve said have already been raised in the media by others—from ex-coaches to former officials. Even former coach Igor Štimac has openly said Kalyan is using AIFF for political mileage. These are serious claims and they need to be addressed, not ignored.”
Bhutia also questioned the sincerity of AIFF’s Vision 2047 plan, calling it superficial. “They talk about grassroots football, but there’s nothing on the ground. It’s all on paper. These are tick-box initiatives to show something is being done, but there’s no serious investment or follow-through.”
He expressed hope that the upcoming Supreme Court verdict on the AIFF elections would help bring clarity and change.
While he did not confirm whether he would contest for the top post, he said he remains committed to supporting any honest and competent leadership that can restore trust in the federation.
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