- Friday, April 19, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
The suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) by the International Football Federation (FIFA) earlier this week over ‘third party influence’ shocked the country’s innumerable sports lovers but former India captain Baichung Bhutia, who is also one of the best footballers that the country has produced, was not entirely unhappy.
The 45-year-old Bhutia, who scored 27 goals for India, called FIFA’s decision “harsh” but felt at the same time, the move also gave India an opportunity to get its system in place.
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“Very unfortunate that FIFA has banned Indian football…I feel it’s a very harsh decision of FIFA to ban Indian football. But at the same time I feel it’s a great opportunity to get our system right. It’s very important that all the stakeholders — the federation, the state associations, sports ministry – to come together and get the system right and everybody work for the betterment of Indian football,” he said.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia reacts to FIFA banning AIFF@bhaichung15 I #AIFF I #FIFA pic.twitter.com/WvoCo9OMRn
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Current India captain Sunil Chhetri, who is also among the top international goal scorers with more than 80 in his tally, said people who are involved in the matter are doing their best to ensure that India comes out with the best possible results.
“Everyone is working hard towards it. As far as players are concerned we are going to make sure that we do our work properly,” he said.
India stands to lose its hosting rights for the Under-17 women’s World Cup scheduled in October.
