As the Indian football team prepares for a high-stakes international friendly against Thailand on Wednesday, followed by a decisive AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Hong Kong next week, a storm of financial uncertainty has cast a shadow over the national camp. With the spotlight firmly on their on-field performance, off-field disputes threaten to disrupt focus at a critical juncture.
Reports suggest that several senior players have voiced concerns over unpaid dues, including allowances, match fees, and performance bonuses, some of which date back to 2023—a year marked by three triumphant trophies under former head coach Igor Štimac. An email sent to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on May 26 highlighted these grievances, urging the federation to expedite the resolution process.
Quoting The Telegraph, the email stated, “Some of the Senior National Team Players have their previous allowances/fee/award winnings pending for a considerable amount of time.” The players emphasized their desire for a swift resolution, adding, “We would be thankful if this matter can be looked into and settled as soon as possible since the players have already started another camp now, which will go on for a considerable amount of time.”
While the players are not seeking a public confrontation, they have made it clear that clarity on payment timelines is essential. “They play for the country, the badge. It’s an honour for them to represent the national team on the international stage, but the basic daily allowance needs to be paid. They do not want to be seen as mercenaries,” a source close to the team revealed.
In response, the AIFF has denied the existence of any long-standing dues. M. Satyanarayan, deputy secretary general of the federation, stated, “I can confirm that there are no long-pending dues for the national team players. Two senior AIFF officials—Subrata Paul, national team director, and Velu Dayalamani, national team manager—are stationed with the national team and have not received any communication regarding payment issues that need to be forwarded to the AIFF headquarters.”
Satyanarayan further clarified that certain allowances fall under the jurisdiction of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), adding, “In such cases, the AIFF’s role is limited to forwarding the bank account details of the concerned individuals and following up on the matter, which the AIFF has been doing regularly.”
Despite the federation’s assurances, sources close to the players confirmed that the payments in question have yet to materialize in their accounts. This disagreement comes on the heels of the AIFF’s $400,000 payout to former coach Štimac, a move that has drawn criticism given the ongoing struggle to address player allowances.
As the national team gears up for two pivotal matches, the timing of this financial dispute could not be worse. With the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier on the horizon, the team is already under immense pressure to deliver on the continental stage. This latest controversy only adds to their challenges, raising questions about the federation’s priorities and the players’ morale.
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