FRESH CONTROVERSY HAS erupted in Indian football after All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey was accused of harassment by Valanka Alemao, a senior official and member of the federation’s executive committee and head of the women’s committee.
The allegations, outlined in a formal complaint following an executive committee meeting in New Delhi on March 29, have raised serious questions over governance, conduct and internal functioning within the country’s top football body.
Meanwhile, the AIFF has accused Valanka Alemao of exerting “sustained pressure” to secure the inclusion of Goa-based club Churchill Brothers in the Indian Super League (ISL), intensifying governance concerns within Indian football.
In an official statement, the AIFF alleged that between January 8 and February 15, 2026, Alemao and members of her family repeatedly pushed for Churchill Brothers’ entry into the ISL through “exceptional means,” despite existing rules and commitments.
The federation claimed that Alemao attempted to influence internal proceedings, including pressing for multiple emergency Executive Committee meetings contacting members individually to build support, and continuing efforts even after formal rejection of the proposal
The AIFF maintained that it could not accommodate Churchill Brothers’ inclusion due to regulatory and legal constraints. Under current rules, only the I-League champion earns promotion to the ISL, and a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling had awarded that status to Inter Kashi.
In her complaint, Alemao alleged that she was “heckled and harassed” during the meeting by Chaubey and other senior officials, including the vice president and a senior member of the secretariat. She described the conduct as “disgusting” and claimed that attempts were made to silence her during discussions, adding that the behaviour was intimidating and disrespectful.
“I wish to place on record the entirely disgusting behaviour of the AIFF President Mr Kalyan Chaubey, Vice President Mr N A Haris and Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan. I feel deeply prejudiced and I found that several attempts were made by the President to suppress my voice,” said Valanka, in a letter addressed to the executive committee members. The complaint has been circulated among the members, bringing the issue into the spotlight within the federation.
The incident appears to stem from ongoing disagreements within the AIFF, particularly around administrative decisions linked to women’s football. Alemao had earlier raised concerns regarding the handling of India’s Women’s Asian Cup preparations and broader governance issues, including alleged lack of consultation with the Executive Committee and Women’s Committee on key decisions. These disagreements are believed to have escalated tensions during the recent meeting.
The controversy highlights deeper structural issues within Indian football administration, including centralisation of decision-making, internal communication breakdowns, and concerns over transparency and accountability. The episode also comes at a time when the AIFF is navigating multiple challenges, including commercial restructuring, league management and development of women’s football.
Kalyan Chaubey, who became AIFF president in 2022, has faced scrutiny in the past over governance-related issues, including allegations linked to financial decisions and administrative practices, which he has denied. The latest allegations add to mounting pressure on the federation’s leadership.
The developments come at a crucial time for Indian football, as the federation seeks to stabilise its governance framework and attract long-term commercial investment. Experts believe that such controversies could impact stakeholder confidence, particularly as Indian football attempts to professionalise and align with global governance standards.
As the situation unfolds, the focus will be on how the AIFF addresses the allegations and whether it initiates formal inquiry mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability within its leadership structure.
