AIFF
AIFF eyes Rs 20 crore fixed deposit to clear Brazil, Uruguay dues; members oppose move
Panaji/IBNS: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has proposed dissolving a fixed deposit (FD) worth Rs 20 crore to clear outstanding payments for last month's international friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay, triggering opposition from members of its general body, media reports said.
India played three international friendlies against five-time world champions Brazil and Uruguay in Kolkata, and Panama in Bengaluru.
While Panama has received its full payment, Brazil and Uruguay have so far received only 50 per cent of their respective dues, The Times of India reported, quoting sources.
AIFF seeks more time to clear outstanding dues
According to the report, the AIFF has sought an extension to clear approximately Rs 19 crore owed to Brazil and Rs 4.7 crore to Uruguay.
A senior federation official told The Times of India that AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey had requested board members to approve the dissolution of the fixed deposit to settle the outstanding payments.
Chaubey reportedly assured the members that the amount would be replenished later.
However, several members opposed the proposal, with vice-president N.A. Haris reminding the gathering of an earlier executive committee decision against using funds from the federation's fixed deposits.
Fixed deposit formed during Praful Patel's tenure
The fixed deposit in question was created during the presidential tenure of Praful Patel, who headed the AIFF from 2018 to 2022.
The proposal to liquidate the deposit has reportedly raised concerns among members over the federation's earlier decision to preserve its fixed-deposit funds.
AIFF may have to return ticketing advance
Apart from settling payments to the visiting teams, the AIFF may also have to return a portion of the Rs 25 crore received from its ticketing partner as a "recoupable advance".
The potential repayment could add to the federation's financial obligations following the international friendlies.
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