The AIFF has offered a lengthy response to the comments made by Igor Stimac after his contract as the head coach of India was terminated. Most of the points raised by the Croatian have been addressed, albeit with minimal mention of former General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran.
The board has also not offered any concrete response to the claims that all senior officials should resign, instead reminding readers that the current office took charge in 2022, when Igor Stimac was already three years into his tenure as the India head coach.
AIFF release clear statement in response to Igor Stimac’s heated claims
You can read the full statement from AIFF below:
AIFF Statement.
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 24, 2024
Check out the link more information ⬇️https://t.co/dtGxnalnML#IndianFootball⚽️ pic.twitter.com/jP7TXttk1O
The main points discussed in the lengthy statement have been summarised below:
- The current AIFF leadership took office in September 2022; Stimac’s contract was renewed in October 2023.
- Stimac was offered a two-year contract with a salary of $30,000/month from January 2024, increasing to $40,000/month from February 2025, with some terms not approved by the Core Committee.
- Stimac received full support from AIFF, including meetings, autonomy, and fulfilling his specific requests.
- Stimac’s claim about unavailable GPS vests was exaggerated; the equipment was lost in transit and replaced promptly.
- AIFF ignored Stimac’s misdeeds to avoid hampering FIFA World Cup qualifiers preparations.
- AIFF was shocked by Stimac’s reliance on an astrologer for team decisions and took action.
- Players reported concerns about Stimac’s coaching style and tactics to AIFF.
- At the AFC National Coaches Conference in May 2024, Stimac misrepresented his support staff numbers, undermining AIFF’s reputation.
- In June 2024, Stimac’s lawyer sent a notice claiming AIFF breached his contract over a misquoted press release.
- Stimac blamed AIFF for his heart ailment, though he did not disclose his medical condition to AIFF.
- AIFF believes Stimac’s claims are attempts to deflect responsibility and blame the system.
- Declining team performance and Stimac’s conduct led AIFF to offer a mutual parting, which Stimac refused.
- AIFF terminated Stimac’s contract for just cause, offering him a three-month severance fee.
- The decision was made in time for the September 2024 FIFA window to allow hiring a new coach and staff.
🗣️ Igor Stimac took my question asking for the reason behind his inflexible predictable tactics with the National Team and the notable changes to that against Qatar after Chhetri retired. Here's what he replied: ⬇️
— Avik Chatterjee (@just_avik) June 22, 2024
(Not exact words, transcribed as recordings were not allowed.) pic.twitter.com/T071x2pDPy
The AIFF is still inviting applications for the post of the head coach of the Indian national team after Igor Stimac’s dismissal. And as things stand, it seems like the drama with their former head coach stands closed, unless the dispute about payment takes a legal course.
How many years was Igor Stimac in charge of India?
Five years since 2019
