AIFF considers withdrawing from FIFA ASEAN Cup in favour of India vs Brazil game
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is debating whether to withdraw from the FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritize a high-profile friendly match against Brazil. Financial constraints and the need for competitive experience are driving the internal debate among federation officials.
Why it matters
This highlights the financial instability of national sports bodies and the difficult trade-offs between commercial revenue and long-term competitive development.
NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is considering fielding a second-string team or withdrawing entirely from the FIFA ASEAN Cup while prioritising the highly anticipated India versus Brazil friendly in Kolkata. The two sets of fixtures clash, with the FIFA ASEAN Cup scheduled to be played from September 24 to October 4 this year. The India versus Brazil friendly is scheduled for October 3 at the Salt Lake Stadium.At the Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia urged the AIFF to prioritise the FIFA ASEAN Cup instead."I suggested that we prioritise the FIFA ASEAN Cup because of the competitive value it brings. There are higher-ranked teams than India in the tournament, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.
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