"I objected to forming task force", Bhaichung Bhutia shared his thoughts on new AIFF Task Force | Khel Now Exclusive

Bhaichung Bhutia was in attendance for the AIFF Executive Committee’s meeting on Monday, April 7.

Former Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia recently shared his thoughts on the newly formed All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) Task Force during an exclusive interaction with Khel Now. The 48-year-old provided an insight about some notable discussions that took place during the AIFF Executive Committee meeting for the month of April.

One of the significant matters that was addressed during the meeting was the expiring deal between the AIFF and Reliance’s Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), who had signed a 15-year deal worth around Rs. 700 crores back in 2010. Bhaichung Bhutia provided an invaluable insight into the internal negotiations between both parties.

Bhutia also expressed concern about the disregard from the AIFF towards Mr Nageshwar Rao’s suggestion that the ISL should be run by the AIFF in partnership with a private company. He had requested in the meeting to hold off for a month since the AIFF’s draft constitution is in the final stages in front of the honorable Supreme Court. The next hearing in the matter is set to happen on the 16th of April.

While putting forward his concern, Bhaichung Bhutia stated, “So, I said, that was one of the things, I think you should not further negotiate right now. At least wait for a month or so for the verdict to come. Because this, in Justice Nageshwar Rao’s suggestion is that the ISL, the highest league of the country has to be controlled and run by AIFF with their private partner. So, because of that, I said, please hold on for a month.”

Bhaichung Bhutia was against the creation of AIFF Task Force

The 48-year-old shared how he was against the creation of the brand-new task force and was perplexed by AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey’s decision. He also appealed during the meeting to await the decision of the Supreme Court of India before any further negotiations or the formation of the Task Force itself. However, his appeals seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

Bhaichung Bhutia shared, “I objected to forming a task force. I said, let the verdict come, then form the task force. So, why do you want to negotiate right now and form a task force when the verdict is going to come after one month? Once the verdict comes, we know exactly what the verdict is. And then after that, you want to form a task force, you want to negotiate, you go ahead with it.”

ALSO READ: Tensions rise as Jamshedpur FC coach denied pitch inspection ahead of ISL 2024-25 semifinal against Mohun Bagan

Bhutia shares AIFF’s approach to FSDL dealings

Bhaichung Bhutia also shared how Indian football’s apex body was making decisions in haste and not even conducting proper research before going into negotiations with FSDL. While talking about Indian football’s apex body and their approach, Bhutia shared, “They said that in chairman, president, everybody, they have not done that. In the record, they are saying they have not done the valuation, they have not done any research.”

He shared that with the rise of over-the-top (OTT) platforms, the revenue generated from them is greater than television sports channels. Bhaichung Bhutia stated, “In today’s world, the revenue is more from OTT. Look at a lot of leagues or even IPL, OTT is a bit more than the sports channels. Yeah. I said, have you done research on what the OTTs are paying to other leagues, other channels, other countries’ leagues or even different Indian sports leagues? Have you done any research? Nothing.”

Are the AIFF missing the trick in FSDL negotiations?

Bhaichung Bhutia shared his concern about the lack of preparedness by the Indian football’s apex body in significant big-money deals when negotiating with FSDL. He also highlighted how the AIFF did not consider his appeals and continued to attend important meetings with clear disadvantages.

He stated, “When you are going negotiating, these guys are going unprepared with no or nothing planned, nothing done, no homework. And they are just going and sitting and whatever FSDL is saying, they are listening and going back with no research on their own.”

While these revelations are concerning for the Indian footballing community, it brings to light the work that remains to be done behind the scenes. Bhaichung Bhutia’s contestations have relevance, and the AIFF have disregarded all reasons while making hasty decisions.

With the announcement of the new AIFF Task Force, the Indian football fans will be keenly watching for the further developments as and when they happen during negotiations with the FSDL.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.