Bhaichung Bhutia launches direct attack on AIFF, calls for Kalyan Chaubey’s resignation.
Kolkata, June 20, 2025: Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia minced no words at the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club today as he launched a fierce and direct attack on the All India Football Federation and its current president, Kalyan Chaubey. Terming the present state of affairs in Indian football as “disastrous,” Bhutia demanded Chaubey’s immediate resignation and called for a complete structural overhaul of the federation.
Bhaichung Bhutia Press Conference on 20.05.2025
The former Indian captain painted a grim picture of the AIFF’s functioning, citing mismanagement at multiple levels. “Kalyan Chaubey has destroyed Indian football. He must resign. He has completely ruined it,” Bhaichung Bhutia said in an emotional address, holding the top brass responsible for the sport’s lack of progress.
Bhutia questioned the instability at the top levels of AIFF leadership, pointing to the replacement of three General Secretaries in less than three years. He also criticised the appointment of Spanish coach Manolo Marquez, who is controversially managing both FC Goa and the Indian national team simultaneously. “The appointment of Marquez was done bypassing the Technical Committee. How is that even allowed? It’s a complete mockery,” Bhutia remarked sharply.
The football icon did not spare the AIFF’s handling of senior players either. He took a dig at the temporary return of veteran Sunil Chhetri, calling the decision “completely bad” and reflective of short-term thinking with no lasting impact, “It was nice of Chhetri to come out of retirement, but what has changed?” Mr. Bhutia questioned. Further slamming the federation’s grassroots development failure, he said, “There is nothing happening at the grassroots. It’s all negative news off the field, and that reflects on the national team’s performance.
Bhutia’s rare and sharp criticism comes in the wake of India’s shock 0–1 loss to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, a defeat that many see as a symptom of deeper rot within the system. As Indian football stands at a crossroads, Bhaichung Bhutia’s remarks have ignited a fresh debate on the federation’s accountability, vision, and leadership.
In response, with an immediate press release AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey dismissed Bhaichung Bhutia’s allegations, and invited him to attend the upcoming Executive Committee meeting on July 2 to share his concerns directly.
Despite AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey dismissing Bhaichung Bhutia’s allegations as nothing more than pointless , the ground reality reflected in Indian football’s stagnant performances, player development, and international standing suggests otherwise. The federation continues to offer explanations without delivering satisfied prestigious results, progress remains confined to paper and statements rather than translating onto the field. With the future of the ISL uncertain, the I-League title undecided, and the national team and coaching performances lacking clarity, Indian football appears trapped within boardroom discussions, far removed from genuine on-field improvement. The real question remains: when will Indian football’s progress come out of meetings and papers and be seen on the field?
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