Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Bhutia Questions Funding for India’s Expensive Football Friendlies
India’s football team is planning three costly friendly matches.
These games are meant to feel a little like World Cup matches.
Bhaichung Bhutia, a former India captain, is not sure the matches are a good idea.
India also left the first Fifa Asean Cup at the last moment.
Officials said this was because the tournament conflicted with other plans.
Bhutia asked questions about money connected to a payment for Brazil FA.
He wanted to know whether the payment was made and how much it was.
He also asked who would return the money to AIFF, but he says he has not received an answer.
India is scheduled to play three expensive football friendlies intended to provide a World Cup-like experience.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia questioned the rationale for arranging the friendlies.
India withdrew at the last moment from the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup to avoid a scheduling clash.
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said an advance to Brazil FA would be paid from the AIFF account.
In a 28 August letter, Bhutia asked whether the payment had been made, how much it was, and who would repay AIFF; he has not received a reply.
- Who
- Former India captain and executive committee member Bhaichung Bhutia, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, and the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
- What
- Questions have been raised about the rationale and funding for India’s three expensive friendlies, alongside its withdrawal from the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup.
- When
- Bhutia sent his letter to AIFF on 28 August; the withdrawal occurred at the last moment, according to the article.
- Where
- The article does not specify where the friendlies or the Fifa Asean Cup were to be held.
- Why
- India reportedly withdrew from the Fifa Asean Cup to avoid a scheduling clash, while Bhutia questioned the purpose and financial arrangements of the friendlies.
Questions and concerns
Federation arrangements
Purpose of the friendlies
Questions and concerns
Bhaichung Bhutia questioned the rationale for India playing the friendlies.
Federation arrangements
The reported objective is to give India a World Cup-like experience through three expensive matches.
Use of AIFF funds
Questions and concerns
Bhutia asked whether the advance had been paid, how much it was, and who would repay the money to AIFF.
Federation arrangements
Kalyan Chaubey said the advance to Brazil FA would be paid from the AIFF account.
Tournament withdrawal
Questions and concerns
Bhutia’s questions highlight concerns about India withdrawing from the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup at the last moment.
Federation arrangements
The stated reason for the withdrawal was to avoid a clash of schedules.
- Friendlies
- India is seeking a World Cup-like feel through three expensive friendlies.
- Critic
- Bhaichung Bhutia, a former India captain and AIFF executive committee member, contested the rationale for the matches.
- Tournament withdrawal
- India pulled out of the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup at the last moment.
- Stated reason
- The withdrawal was made to avoid a clash of schedules.
- Payment source
- Kalyan Chaubey said an advance to Brazil FA would be paid from the AIFF account.
- Letter date
- Bhutia wrote to AIFF on 28 August.
- Response
- Bhutia said he had not received a reply to his questions.