Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian men’s football team, has advised his teammates to not pay too much attention to the threat of suspension that the world football governing body, FIFA has brought against the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The comments were made by Chhetri during a virtual media event organized by the ISL club he represents, FC Bengaluru.
FIFA, earlier this month, had said that there was a “third party” influence on AIFF, and so it might suspend the organization and also strip India as the venue of the upcoming Women’s U-17 World Cup, which is scheduled for October.
Chhetri, during the interaction, also said, “We have to make sure you better yourself as a player. Whenever you get an opportunity to represent your club or your country, put your best foot forward”.
The 38-year-old, who has 84 goals in the India shirt, was of the opinion that the AIFF is trying to “fix as much as possible” so that the situation does not affect Indian football.
Notably, after the complaints from FIFA, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by the Supreme Court have begun the process for the AIFF elections. The CoA had also announced the names of Mr. Umesh Sinha and Mr. Tapas Bhattacharya as the returning officer and assistant returning officer of the election, respectively.
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The FIFA women’s U-17 World Cup is set to be held from October 11 to October 30. All matches are set to held at Bhubaneswar, Goa, and Mumbai.
Moreover, the AIFF is also hosting the Durand Cup in Kolkata from August 16. Notably, Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia. Chhetri, who has won almost everything in domestic football, is yet to win the Durand Cup. Regarding Bengaluru FC’s upcoming campaign in said tournament, the India skipper said, “It’s very, very special. It is one of the oldest tournaments which in itself is very big. But more so for me. As a club we have not won and individually I’ve not won the Durand Cup”.
