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Key Points

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has firmly denied corruption allegations, calling them politically motivated. He accused former advisor Bhaichung Bhutia of making false claims after losing the AIFF election. Chaubey also criticized Bhutia's football academies for poor performance and exploiting aspiring players. The dispute highlights growing tensions in Indian football administration.

Key Points: AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey Denies Corruption Claims Amid Bhaichung Bhutia Feud

  • Chaubey dismisses corruption claims as baseless
  • Accuses Bhutia of sour grapes post-election loss
  • Highlights BBFS academy's poor performance
  • Defends AIFF's democratic decision-making
2 min read

No evidence of corruption in AIFF, says President Kalyan Chaubey

AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey refutes corruption allegations, counters Bhaichung Bhutia's criticism, and defends his leadership amid football academy controversy.

"If there was any corruption, it must have been noticed or red-flagged. – Kalyan Chaubey"

New Delhi, June 13

All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey has strongly denied accusations of corruption that have been made against India’s football governing body. Chaubey, who has led the AIFF since 2022, insists that the organisation has followed due process and that if there was any evidence of corruption, then it would have come to notice.

“If there was any corruption, then it must have been noticed or red-flagged. These comments have been made by 3-4 people who have either lost an election against my team or were a part of the AIFF.”

“My family and I have been treated badly. I only speak facts and figures. He (Bhaichung Bhutia) is one of the best strikers India has ever produced. He was also an advisor to AIFF with 1.5 lakh remuneration monthly. In 13 months, we have had 11 executive committee meetings. He is there to challenge, stop, and question the corruption, to ensure the committee functions well and in a democratic manner,” Kalyan Chaubey said in a press conference.

In a recent interview with IANS, Bhaichung Bhutia had slammed the AIFF president and claimed, "Kalyan Chaubey needs to step down for the sake of Indian football".

In response, the AIFF president accused the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools, a chain of commercial football academies run by the former striker, of ‘taking undue advantage by playing on emotions’.

“He also runs a commercial football school named after him. There are 20 of these schools across the nation. I also have a summary of his side’s performance in the I-League U-17, on March 31, his team lost 31-0 against Minerva Academy.”

The AIFF president went on to list several games in which BBFS faced defeat to further emphasise his point. “They (Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools) are taking undue advantage by playing with the emotions of families, emotions of the people, who are thinking the man has achieved the highest level of Indian football, and if I am part of his academy, I too can make my life in it. He has promised the families of Indian football dreamers, and this is the result that we have seen," said Chaubey.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments on the AIFF corruption allegations:
R
Rahul K.
Chaubey's response seems too defensive. If there's nothing to hide, why attack Bhutia's academies? This looks like mudslinging rather than addressing the actual corruption allegations. Indian football deserves better transparency. 🤔
P
Priya M.
As a football mom, I'm concerned about both sides. Bhutia's academies gave hope to many kids, but if results are poor, that needs addressing. At the same time, AIFF must be accountable - our kids' future is at stake! âš½
A
Arjun S.
Typical Indian sports politics! Instead of improving football infrastructure, they're busy fighting. Look at our FIFA ranking - that's the real issue. Both should focus on developing talent rather than this tamasha.
S
Sunita R.
Chaubey makes valid points about Bhutia's academy performance, but that doesn't automatically clear AIFF of corruption charges. Two separate issues. An independent audit would settle this matter once and for all.
V
Vikram J.
Bhutia was my childhood hero, but losing 31-0 is unacceptable at any level! Maybe he should focus on improving his academies first before pointing fingers. Still, AIFF needs to be more transparent about their finances.
N
Neha P.
Why is Indian football always surrounded by controversies? From Praful Patel to now Chaubey...we need leaders who actually develop the sport. Look at how cricket is managed - that's why it succeeds! 😞

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