USD 50,000 bonus shows AIFF has no system, no clue: Bhaichung Bhutia
After India’s 0-1 loss to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia strongly criticised the All India Football Federation (AIFF)
- NEW DELHI — After India’s 0-1 loss to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027
Qualifiers, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia strongly criticised the All
India Football Federation (AIFF) for reportedly offering players a USD 50,000
bonus had they won the game.
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- Following a goalless draw against Bangladesh in their
opening match, India desperately needed a win to stay in contention. However,
their hopes were dashed by a stoppage-time penalty, leading to another
disappointing result.
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- In an exclusive interview with IANS, Bhutia called for
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey to step down “to save Indian football” and
questioned the logic behind such ad-hoc financial incentives.
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- "We’ve seen reports that players haven't even
received their daily allowance of RS 2,500. Indian footballers don’t have
central contracts like cricketers. They don’t earn in lakhs or crores. Their
compensation largely comes through daily allowances," Bhutia said.
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- "Then suddenly, out of nowhere, there’s a USD 50,000
prize announcement if they had won the game. Where did this come from? If they
had won, would the same bonus be offered for the next four games? There’s
clearly no system, no strategy. Just random decisions with no clarity," he
said.
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- In July 2023, India were ranked 99th in the FIFA rankings
and had a promising year—winning the Intercontinental Cup, Tri-Nation
Tournament, and SAFF Championship. However, Bhutia remarked that it’s been “one
disaster after another” ever since.
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- Following former coach Igor Stimac’s turbulent exit and
India’s elimination from the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the team went
winless throughout 2024. Their only victory came recently when veteran striker
Sunil Chhetri came out of retirement to lead the side to a 3-0 win over the
Maldives—India’s first win in 489 days.
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- As nations like Uzbekistan secure their maiden World Cup
qualification, India now faces the grim prospect of missing out on the 2027
Asian Cup—a tournament they've consistently qualified for in recent years.
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