The All India Football Federation is becoming one “sack happy” place. The AIFF on Sunday terminated the services of its principal legal advisor Nilanjan Bhattacharjee after he made serious “corruption allegations” against federation president Kalyan Chaubey, who had termed them “baseless”.
It bears noting that Chaubey was also the “prime protagonist” in the sacking last November of AIFF secretary-general Shaji Prabhakaran. Reasons cited then by the former India goalkeeper-turned BJP politician for the summary dismissal of the well respected professional – “breach of trust” (whatever that means).
Coming back to Bhattacharjee’s sacking, AIFF acting secretary-general M Satyanarayan (Prabhakaran’s post is still vacant) wrote in a termination letter issued Sunday, “… inform you of the AIFF’s decision to terminate your engagement as principal legal advisor with immediate effect”.
The AIFF will pay Bhattacharjee for another month at the “contractually agreed rate” as a notice period of one month is required for the termination, PTI reports.
Bhattacharjee, on his part, said the termination of his service was on expected lines.
“I could foresee the termination letter,” he told PTI.
“I am hoping that I find justice in my communications and speaking out the truth about the ongoing corruption in the AIFF.”
Bhattacharjee had alleged that Chaubey made attempts to “siphon off money from the federation’s exchequer” and used AIFF fund for personal expenses.
“…through coercion and at his own subservient interest, allotted numerous tenders such as broadcasting of I-League (last season), IWL, Santosh Trophy in favour of one (company; name withheld) which happens to be close to the incumbent president,” Bhattacharjee wrote in the letter, which is in possession of of the newswire.
“Further tenders running into crores were allotted to the same service provider for broadcasting of futsal and other such tournaments,” he wrote in the letter, a copy of which was also marked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah(?) and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
Bhattacharjee claimed that when he suggested safeguards in subsequent tenders, Chaubey attempted to “malign” his image and professional integrity.
“Crores of money have been spent by the current president for his personal trips, hotel stays. For his numerous Bangalore trip alone, a conservative estimation of more than Rs 40 lakhs has been spent to fund his business class travel, local conveyance and hotel stays.”
Bhattacharjee was appointed after Chaubey took charge as AIFF president in September 2022. His initial tenure ended in October last year but it got extended by another year after that.
Bhutia: Chaubey has failed Indian football
Meanwhile, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, a trenchent critic of Chaubey, told IANS that the BJP politician has failed Indian football and the constant in-fighting is one of the major reasons why the team has failed to rise to the challenges and stride forward on the global stage.
“It is complete mismanagement by the top-most, including the president himself. Even today if you look at it, there is a lot of mismanagement in the administrative activities. There is a lot of misuse of funds. There is a complete mess in the AIFF, and Kalyan as president has really damaged the image of the AIFF,” Bhutia rued.
“I think I do not need to say anything. The federation themselves are saying this. Today look at the general secretary, how he was removed and he filed a case against the president. They were the ones who were working together and fought the election and formed the body. Now within a year, they are fighting. Then look at the lawyer of the AIFF, all the legal matters are not being consulted with him. I think this is very unfortunate,” he added.
