New Delhi: Bhaichung Bhutia will resign from the All India Football Federation’s technical committee protesting its complete sidelining over matters related to the national team’s head coach.
The former India captain has informed his decision at the AIFF’s executive committee meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. He would, however, continue to be a part of the Ex Co.
Bhutia has protested against the manner in which the technical committee chaired by IM Vjayan hasn’t been taken into confidence while sacking Igor Stimac and then deciding to appoint Manolo Marquez.
The Kalyan Chaubey-led AIFF formed a separate committee involving some members of the Ex Co and technical committee when it decided to remove Stimac for India’s failure to advance to the third round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Another new committee was formed when the federation decided to begin its hunt for a new coach, advertising it on public forums.
These steps were viewed as going against the AIFF’s constitution that states all decisions taken or recommended by the sub-committees has to be approve its executive committees.
Bhutia pointed out that it hasn’t been the case, which is in contravention of the AIFF’s own statutes.
“They are breaking the established system. Hence I have resigned from the technical committee,” the 47-year-old told News9 Sports after the conclusion of the meeting.
“I objected to the process of hiring the new coach by forming a new committee. What is the point of being in the committee I am not consulted on technical matters as hiring and firing of the chief coach of the national team?”
The technical committees chairperson IM Vijayan also skipped the executive committee meeting today though the reason of his absence wasn’t immediately clear.
Bhutia headed the technical committee from 2013-17 before he was replaced by Shyam Thapa, who made way for Vijayan. Bhutia was re-inducted into the committee after Vijayan took charge.
Bhutia was defeated by Chaubey 1-33 in the election to become AIFF’s president in September 22. Since then Chaubey has been riddled with multiple allegations of corruption, leading to calls of his resignation.
The BJP functionary was also recently heard on videos allegedly attempting to bribe a Trinamool Congress spokesperson for a by-poll election in Bengal’s Manicktala which Chaubey lost by over 62,000 votes.
The former goalkeeper is also on record stating that he is prevented by people within the AIFF in his efforts to develop the sport in the country.
Former striker Bhutia added that he tried to raise the corruption allegations and malpractices that Chaubey has been accused of but its wasn’t entertained as it wasn’t part of Saturday’s executive committee’s agenda set for deliberations.
Bhaichung Bhutia has protested against the manner in which the technical committee chaired by IM Vjayan hasn’t been taken into confidence while sacking Igor Stimac and then deciding to appoint Manolo Marquez Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
