Top five controversies of Indian football in 2024

Indian football has seen a very eventful year.

The year 2024 has been one of the most turbulent in Indian football, with a series of high-profile controversies that kept fans and pundits on edge. From Anwar Ali’s dramatic transfer saga, which involved a legal battle and suspension, to the bitter sacking of Igor Stimac as head coach of the national team amid allegations of mismanagement, the year has been filled with drama.

On the domestic front, the Indian Super League match between Mohammedan Sporting and Kerala Blasters was temporarily suspended due to violent fan behavior, while the eagerly awaited Durand Cup derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal was canceled because of unrest in Kolkata. To top it off, the issue of age fraud resurfaced, leading to the disqualification of several teams in the Subroto Cup.

That being said let us take a look at the controversies that marred Indian football in 2024.

5. AIFF’s sacking of Igor Stimac as Indian football team coach

Igor Stimac’s tenure as head coach of the Indian football team came to an end after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) decided to sack him on June 17, 2024. His sacking followed India’s disappointing performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup, where the team failed to score a single goal and struggled losing all of their games.

Despite an extension in 2022, Stimac’s relationship with the AIFF deteriorated over issues like the mismanagement of team schedules, lack of support for the national team, and internal conflicts. Stimac also criticized the leadership of AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, claiming a focus on social media popularity rather than football development in an explosive press conference after his sacking.

However, AIFF later condemned the actions of the former coach, justifying his dismissal. In response to his dismissal, Stimac demanded a hefty compensation package, initially seeking two years’ salary, but the AIFF settled on $400,000 after a tense negotiation.

4. Age Fraud in Subroto Cup

Age fraud had once again marred Indian Football in the prestigious Subroto Cup, with three teams disqualified from the 63rd edition of the Sub-Junior Boys tournament due to overage players. The teams, Nazareth Model High School (Assam), Nehru Public School (Bihar), and Ultou Govt. Model High School (Manipur), had been found guilty after the mandatory Skeletal Age Estimation Test, conducted in line with AIFF regulations. These teams had fielded a total of 19 overage players, with one team having seven and the other two teams having six each.

The disqualified teams’ matches had been nullified, and this incident was not a new one for the tournament, which had faced similar issues in the past. Despite efforts to prevent such fraud, the tournament had still seen players exceeding the age limit. That season saw fewer disqualifications compared to the previous edition, where 16 teams had been disqualified after 87 players failed the age test.

Officials from the affected schools had admitted to the oversight, with one acknowledging the fault in trusting submitted age certificates. The controversy raised concerns about the integrity of youth football in India, but it was hoped that stricter measures would be taken in future editions to prevent such fraud from continuing.

3. Anwar Ali Tranfer saga

Anwar Ali‘s transfer from Mohun Bagan to East Bengal sparked one of the most dramatic transfer sagas in Indian football. The young defender’s move hit a major roadblock when he unilaterally terminated his contract with Mohun Bagan in July, citing a new FIFA ruling, and requested to be registered by Delhi FC. East Bengal soon entered the picture, signing Anwar Ali on a five-year deal after receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Player Status Committee (PSC) in August.

However, things quickly escalated. The PSC later ruled that Anwar would serve a four-month sporting ban, while East Bengal and Delhi FC were banned from registering new players for two transfer windows, beginning in January 2024. Additionally, both Anwar and the clubs were asked to pay a hefty Rs. 12.9 crore compensation to Mohun Bagan.

The saga took another unexpected turn when the Delhi High Court intervened, quashing the PSC’s decision and ordering the AIFF to reconsider the entire matter.

2. Fan behavior during Mohammedan Sporting vs Kerala Blasters

Tensions reached a boiling point at Kishore Bharati Stadium during a fiery Indian Super League match between Mohammedan Sporting and Kerala Blasters, which saw chaos erupt in the stands and a temporary suspension of the game. The match, which ended 2-1 in favour of Kerala Blasters, was overshadowed by fan unrest and controversy.

The drama unfolded in the second half after Mohammedan fans grew enraged following a denied penalty appeal. Their frustration intensified as Kerala Blasters, who had fallen behind to an early penalty by Kasimov, mounted a comeback with two goals from Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez, clinching the win for the visitors.

Security struggled to contain the agitated crowd, and the situation escalated when fans began throwing bottles, sticks, and even setting off firecrackers in protest. In response to the unsafe environment, players from both teams were escorted off the field temporarily, as authorities worked to restore order.

Despite a brief delay, the match resumed, but the violent fan reactions left a dark cloud over what was otherwise an intense and competitive encounter. The incident raised serious concerns about fan conduct and stadium security, with some questioning the responsibility for preventing such disruptive behavior.

1. Durand Cup Derby cancelled

The highly anticipated Durand Cup derby between Kolkata’s footballing giants, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, was canceled due to ongoing unrest in the city. The match, originally scheduled at the Salt Lake Stadium, was called off following a meeting between Kolkata Police officials and Durand Cup organizers. The decision came as a significant disappointment to fans eagerly waiting for the iconic Kolkata derby.

In light of the cancellation, both teams were awarded one point each in the tournament standings, and ticket holders received full refunds. Reports suggested that the remaining Durand Cup matches scheduled in Kolkata could be relocated to Jamshedpur due to safety concerns, with an official announcement regarding the move expected shortly.

The unrest in Kolkata was sparked by the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9th, which led to widespread protests. Despite the cancellation, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fan clubs vowed to unite for a common cause: justice for the RG Kar victim.

Around one lakh fans gathered near the stadium to voice their support for the protests. Both fan clubs issued a joint call for action, even threatening to block roads if the government had prevented them from entering the stadium. The day was termed a “Black Day” for Kolkata Maidan, with fans rallying together to demand justice.

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