AIFF Delays Formation of Key Committee as Allegations Surface

As the All India Football Federation (AIFF) prepares for its executive committee meeting on Saturday, a key issue is the delay in forming a crucial committee to review the master rights agreement (MRA) with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). Approved on June 6, the committee was expected to be formed promptly but remains unestablished, prompting questions from members.

The MRA, effective until December 2025, involves FSDL paying AIFF ₹50 crore annually, an increase from the initial ₹31 crore in 2010. The committee was requested by Avijit Paul, Anilkumar Prabhakaran, and Menla Ethenpa to study the agreement and its financial implications.

Acting secretary-general Saytanarayan Muthyalu had urged President Kalyan Chaubey to form the committee with legal input, but this has not yet occurred. Members cited delays and personnel changes at FSDL as reasons for the lack of progress.

Chaubey announced late Thursday that he would present recommendations for the committee at Saturday’s meeting. The delay has raised concerns among executive committee members and commercial partners about AIFF’s financial management and future projects.

Allegations Against AIFF President

In a separate development, Chaubey faces allegations of misusing his position for political influence. A letter from Kunal Ghosh, a Mohun Bagan official and Trinamool Congress member, accuses Chaubey of leveraging his AIFF role to seek assistance for an election campaign. Chaubey, who lost a recent by-election, has denied these claims and expressed his intention to address the issue at the upcoming meeting.