Former AIFF Treasurer Gopalakrishna Kosaraju has accused current AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of excessive spending prior to the annual general meeting. Among the concerns of the panel ahead of the Ex Co meeting is the bidding process for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
From September 2022 to April 2023, the president’s travel expenses account for Rs 29 lakh. On the other hand, that of secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran amounts to Rs 19 lakh. Kosaraju also said that there was a cost of Rs 79 lakh between 2011 and 2022 for the bidding of the 2027 Asian Cup. However, the bid was withdrawn by Kalyan Chaubey and Prabhakaran after a trip to Saudi Arabia, who eventually got the hosting rights.
Kalyan Chaubey accused of excessive spending ahead of AGM
The knockout stages of the Santosh Trophy were also held in Saudi Arabia, and the overall travel expenses of all the people involved exceeded Rs 90 lakh. The excessive spending has reduced AIFF’s finances from Rs 51 crore to Rs 30 crore.
Kosaraju has also brought to attention the massive salary that Prabhakaran is receiving in comparison to the players. The secretary general earns an amount of Rs 12.5 lakh per month, far more than the Rs 1500 per day salary that the national team players earn. Prior to the Intercontinental Cup, this was Rs 1000 per day.
The challenge in AIFF’s finances also comes in the form of their I-League broadcasting rights controversy. The rights were randomly awarded to Kolkata based production company KPS Studios, and the surge in expenses for broadcasting was also pointed out in the letter that he wrote.
