AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has confirmed that FIFA is now unlikely to be involved with the Santosh Trophy next year. There was an announcement that the tournament would be renamed the FIFA Santosh Trophy, with president Gianni Infantino set to visit the country during the finals on March 9 or 10.

However, due to China’s stance on Arunachal Pradesh, which was set to host the finals, FIFA is likely to withdraw its collaboration due to diplomatic implications. Chaubey has clarified that there was no official confirmation regarding FIFA’s involvement, and that they might be with them in the future in some other capacity.

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey confirms FIFA might not partner up for Santosh Trophy

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey meets FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Doha

“There was nothing official. We had just lobbed an idea about FIFA’s association with a prestigious tournament like Santosh Trophy. So how can one say that they have distanced itself? There is a high chance that they will be with us from next season,” AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey told The Telegraph.

The conflict with China dates back to the Asian Games earlier this year, when Sports Minister Anurag Thakur cancelled his visit to Hangzhou as a protest. Three players from Arunachal Pradesh were not given clearance from China to participate, which caused the reaction from Thakur.

And owing to the conflict, FIFA is now likely to rescind their partnership with the AIFF for the Santosh Trophy and partner with them for another venture.