A massive controversy began during India vs Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match, Tuesday, June 11,2024.
At Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, India ended the first half with a 0-1 lead over Qatar, by Chhangte’s stunning left footed goal at 37′ minute. But in the second half at 73′ minute when Gurpreet saved the header from Aymen at the far post the ball clearly gone out of the backline but Qatari player Al Hashmi backheeled the ball into the box, and Aymen placed the ball into the net. Qatar set the scoreboard 1-1 with a controversial end, pathetic referring. Qatar scored their brace at 86′ minute.
With that injustice and unacceptable results India ended their FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2026 journey on a high controversial stage.
After 90′ minute all the drama, in post match press conference India’s coach Igor Stimac positively said “I would say that there is nothing to complain about my boys’ display today. They were fantastic. All Indian fans can be proud of their team today. We controlled the game for a major part, with a high press against a good Qatari team. You could say that the chances India had were better than Qatar’s.”
He added “Qatar were lucky tonight, especially because they came back from 0-1 with an irregular goal. I can confirm that now because I have seen the replay. The whole ball was out of play and the goal was given. It shouldn’t be happening in today’s football because that goal changed everything in this game. It could’ve happened to Qatar today and I would say the same. I’m not looking for an excuse. I feel sad that when you have 23 boys working really hard and living the dream, to achieve something, and that dream is killed because we didn’t stop such things from happening,”.
Croatian Igor Stimac also said there is something missing in Indian football and that’s clinical reactions inside the box.
To create the history for the first time with a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers India needed to win the match but with a pathetic decision and shameful controversial results it’s end now. Now, India’s bid to make the continental tournament for the third successive time will take them to the Asian Cup Qualifiers Third Round, which is scheduled to begin in March 2025.
“It’s kind of an injustice to my boys tonight because we were very close to winning this game and qualifying for the third round, but it didn’t happen. Congratulations to Qatar. I would say that both countries can be proud of their future because all the players showed enormous quality today, said Stimac after the controversial defeat in, Doha.
AIFF President’s Statement
We, at the All India Football Federation, always believed that the spirit of the game should be upheld, and the regulations be followed without raising doubts over it. While maintaining the same stand, we, after the game against Qatar, in consultation with our Chief Refereeing Officer, decided to write to the FIFA Head of Qualifiers, the AFC Head of Referees, the AFC Head of Competitions, and the Match Commissioner for the game, requesting them to look into the grave supervision error caused during the game that practically cost us a place in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Round 3.
Given it’s severity, we have respectfully requested all concerned officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. Furthermore, we have urged them to explore the possibilities of sporting compensation to address the injustice. Ensuring the integrity of the game is paramount, we truly trust that the FIFA and the AFC will take necessary steps in this regard.
https://www.the-aiff.com/article/statement-from-aiff-president
