Igor Stimac has a go at All India Football Federation

Kolkata, June 15

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The Indian football team’s head coach Igor Stimac lashed out at the messy state of affairs afflicting the All India Football Federation (AIFF), a day after his side qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the second consecutive time.

The AIFF is currently run by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators after the Praful Patel-led federation was found to have violated the National Sports Code.

While an immediate suspension by FIFA because of third-party intervention is not in the cards, Stimac questioned the timing of the change, which has cast a shadow on India’s qualification for the prestigious tournament. “For such an important tournament, was this the time to do this? Was anybody thinking how that could affect the dressing room and the players?” Stimac asked, referring to the AIFF’s current status. “I am not getting into who is right and who is wrong. It is not my job. I am just talking about timing. At such an important time, such a thing is happening, is anyone normal?” “Nothing would have happened if they were waiting for three more weeks after having waited so many years,” he added.