Kalyan Chaubey planned to liquefy FD to fill AIFF’s Rs 85 crore hole. Membership block plan

The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) decision to stage high-profile international friendlies against Brazil, Uruguay and Panama has left the federation facing a potential financial shortfall of Rs 80-85 crore. However, against President Kalyan Chaubey’s proposal to liquidate the Federation’s Fixed Deposit (FD) to meet expenses, members at the Special General Body Meeting (SGBM) on Sunday disagreed.

Several members objected to the proposal, arguing that the federation’s fixed deposit should not be touched except in urgent cases. AIFF vice-president NA Haris also intervened in the online proceedings, pointing out that the federation’s executive committee had already decided against liquidating the FD.

Chaubey reportedly told the members that he wanted to withdraw money from the fixed deposit to meet the deficit arising from hosting three international friendlies. He subsequently offered to secure funds from external sources and repay whatever amount was withdrawn from the FD.

“Yes, he (Chaubey) said he wants to liquidate AIFF’s fixed deposit to pay the deficit (incurred from international friendlies),” a senior official of the state association who attended the meeting told PTI on condition of anonymity.

“Later, he (Chaubey) also said that he will arrange funds from external sources and then return whatever amount is to be withdrawn from the FD,” the official added.

The exact deficit has not been disclosed to members, with the official citing a confidentiality clause in the agreement governing match funding arrangements.

Another member of the AIFF executive committee also confirmed that Chaubey had suggested withdrawing money from the federation’s fixed deposit. According to the official, almost all the members who attended the meeting objected to the proposal.

MEMBER ISSUES PROVIDING FUNDING

Former AIFF president Praful Patel was one of those who raised concerns about the proposal. According to a state association official, Patel reminded Chaubey that during the previous SGBM, the AIFF president had said that the money needed to host international friendlies would be secured from external sources.

Patel also sought to clarify the financial obligations arising from the matches and asked Chaubey to inform the members about when and how much money the federation would have to pay its creditors.

Haris then suggested that a group of members of the general body be called to discuss the matter. It was decided that he would hold a meeting with some members before bringing the matter back to the Executive Committee to decide whether the fixed deposit could be liquidated to clear the dues.

The proposal also raised wider questions about the AIFF’s financial situation and its ability to fund regular football activities.

During Sunday’s meeting, one member questioned how the federation would continue to fund and organize domestic championships, football development programs and competitions like the Santosh Trophy while dealing with losses from international friendlies.

When contacted by PTI, Chaubey refused to comment on the matter, describing it as an internal meeting.

“No, I am not giving my version. It was an internal meeting and what can be said to the outside (people),” he said.

The controversy could also raise questions about Chaubey’s previously announced assurance that the federation would not have to bear the financial burden of hosting three international friendlies.

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