AIFF vs Igor Stimac: Federation Responds Firmly to Allegations by Former Coach

The Croatian’s contract was terminated by the AIFF after a disappointing AFC Asian Cup campaign was followed by a failed attempt to take India to the third round of the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. During his tenure India’s FIFA ranking went from 101 after the AFC Asian Cup in 2019, to 99 in 2023, to now 121. After that, the former coach had levelled a myriad of accusations on the AIFF, including the mismanagement of his contract, the senior national team, and the overall running of the organisation under president Kalyan Chaubey.

The federation claimed to have provided Stimac full support, including autonomy in team selections, venues and support staff, adding that they facilitated player releases beyond FIFA windows and accommodated the Croat’s various requests, except for a charter flight to Saudi Arabia due to logistical challenges.

The AIFF also expressed shock that Stimac blamed the federation for causing his heart ailment, attempting to deflect the serious matter of his not having been medically fit to render coaching services and his failure to formally disclose the same to the AIFF.