The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has finally broken its silence in response to former head coach Igor Stimac’s severe criticisms. The AIFF has issued an official statement addressing Stimac’s allegations and clarifying their position.

AIFF’s Official Statement

The AIFF has taken note of the remarks made by Mr. Igor Stimac to the media. According to the federation, Stimac’s comments were made with the sole intent of maligning the AIFF and its personnel. The federation expressed disappointment, stating that such conduct is unbecoming of a professional who served the organization for over five years and received full support during his tenure.

The AIFF affirmed that their decision to terminate Stimac’s contract was justified and made in the best interest of Indian football. While the AIFF stated that it does not wish to engage in a public debate, it found it necessary to set the record straight regarding certain issues raised by Stimac.

Key Points from AIFF’s Response

Contractual Matters and Support Provided

  • Contract Renewal and Terms: The AIFF leadership, which took office in September 2022, reviewed Stimac’s contract when it was up for renewal in October 2023. A two-year contract with a monthly salary of USD 30,000 was proposed, with a salary raise to USD 40,000 from February 2024. However, specific instructions to include favorable termination clauses for the AIFF were not fully followed.
  • Meetings and Communication: AIFF President met Stimac five times in 18 months, and Stimac had regular virtual and telephonic access to AIFF officials. The federation emphasized that Stimac was given full autonomy in team selections, venue choices, and support staff appointments.
  • Training Equipment and Logistics: The AIFF addressed Stimac’s claim about the unavailability of GPS vests. The federation clarified that the equipment was lost in transit during travel to the Asian Games and that new devices were ordered and provided by May 2024. They refuted Stimac’s assertion that the equipment was unavailable for over 200 days as an exaggeration.

Misconduct and Professionalism

  • Dependence on Astrologer: The AIFF revealed that Stimac’s reliance on an astrologer for team selections raised concerns, leading to immediate action by the federation to end this practice.
  • Statements to AFC: The federation was particularly disturbed by Stimac’s misleading statements at the AFC National Coaches Conference in May 2024, where he claimed he only had four support staff. The AIFF clarified that Stimac consistently had between 13 to 16 support staff.
  • Legal Notice and Focus: The AIFF received a legal notice from Stimac’s lawyer just before a critical match against Kuwait, alleging contract breaches by the federation. The AIFF saw this as an attempt by Stimac to end his tenure favorably rather than focusing on team preparation.

Health and Fitness Issues

  • Undisclosed Heart Surgery: The AIFF expressed shock over Stimac’s public disclosure of heart surgery, blaming the federation for his ailment. The AIFF condemned this as an attempt to deflect responsibility from his failure to disclose his medical condition.

Moving Forward

The AIFF emphasized that the decision to terminate Stimac’s contract was made to ensure the progress of Indian football. Stimac was offered a mutual termination, which he refused, leading to the AIFF’s decision to terminate his contract with a three-month severance fee.

The federation reiterated its commitment to advancing Indian football and working collaboratively with stakeholders to navigate this transitional phase. The AIFF is now focused on hiring a new coach and support staff to steer Indian football toward a brighter future.

In closing, the AIFF looks forward to turning a new page and beginning a new chapter for Indian football, maintaining its dedication to the sport, its players, and all involved stakeholders.

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