Is there really no corruption in AIFF, questions President Kalyan Chaubey?

Synopsis
In a bold statement, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey defends the federation against corruption claims, emphasizing adherence to due process. He challenges the motives of critics, including Bhaichung Bhutia, and highlights the performance of football academies. This article dives into the ongoing controversy and the implications for Indian football.
Key Takeaways
- Kalyan Chaubey denies corruption allegations against AIFF.
- He emphasizes adherence to due process and transparency.
- Bhaichung Bhutia's criticisms are met with strong rebuttals.
- The performance of Bhutia's football academies raises questions.
- The future of Indian football governance remains a topic of debate.
New Delhi, June 13 (NationPress) Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), has vehemently rejected allegations of corruption levied against the governing body of Indian football. Since taking the helm in 2022, Chaubey asserts that the AIFF has adhered to all protocols, and if any corruption existed, it would have surfaced by now.
“If corruption had occurred, it would have been noticed or flagged. These remarks stem from a handful of individuals who either lost elections to my team or were affiliated with the AIFF,” he stated.
“My family and I have faced undue criticism. I rely solely on facts and statistics. Bhaichung Bhutia is undoubtedly one of India's greatest strikers and previously served as an advisor for AIFF, earning a monthly salary of ₹1.5 lakh. In our first 13 months, we have convened 11 executive committee meetings. His role is to challenge and scrutinize corruption to ensure the committee operates effectively and democratically,” Chaubey detailed during a press conference.
In a recent conversation with IANS, Bhutia criticized the AIFF president, asserting, "Kalyan Chaubey should resign for the betterment of Indian football."
Chaubey responded by accusing Bhutia’s football academies of exploiting emotions for commercial gain.
“He manages a chain of commercial football schools, named after him, with 20 locations nationwide. I also have documented evidence of his academy's performance in the I-League U-17, where his team suffered a staggering 31-0 defeat to Minerva Academy on March 31,” he pointed out.
The AIFF president highlighted multiple losses endured by the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools to underscore his argument. “They are manipulating the emotions of families who believe that if they join his academy, they can achieve great success. He has misled the families of aspiring footballers with unattainable promises, which is evident from the results we've witnessed,” Chaubey concluded.