PTI has learned that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) top brass is inclined to heed the recommendations of its technical committee and remove national men’s team head coach Igor Stimac, but contract issues may make the decision difficult. According to AIFF sources, considering that India’s next World Cup qualifier second-round match is scheduled to take place against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6, changing the helm at this time may not be a good idea.
“In this case, he (Stimac) is likely to take charge of the team for the next two games in June,” an unnamed source told PTI.
If India wants to reach the third round of World Cup qualifying for the first time, it must achieve a favorable result against Kuwait.
After that, the Blue Tigers will face the defending Asian champion Qatar in an away game on June 11.
It is also reported that after the shocking 2-1 loss to a depleted Afghanistan side in Guwahati on March 26, the IM Vijayan-led technical committee wanted to know “how Stimac (as head coach) can continue” .
India played Afghanistan in an away match in Abha, Saudi Arabia, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Stimac was first appointed as head coach in 2019 for a two-year term. In October 2022, his contract was extended to January 2024 (when the AFC Asian Cup is held). However, in October 2023, the AIFF once again extended his contract till June 2026, following India’s impressive performance in the first round of World Cup qualifiers and the SAFF Championship.
AIFF sources said the original contract had a severance clause (9.1) which provided for a three-month notice period. But the latest contract (signed in October 2023) does not have this clause, which creates trouble for AIFF to fire Stimac.
Stimac receives a monthly salary of $30,000 (approximately Rs 25 lakh) and without a severance clause with a three-month notice period, the AIFF could end up paying him over $750,000 (approximately Rs 6,254 crore) if the federation so chooses rupee). Fire him now.
The AIFF pays the entire salary to Stimac, but the federation receives nearly half of the compensation from the Sports Authority of India.
“While the original contract provided AIFF with the opportunity to terminate the contract after three months’ notice without giving any reason, AIFF waived this right during the contract extension, which was documented in the amendment letter,” sought the legal opinion reads. Hosted by AIFF.
“Any termination not in accordance with the agreement will give him the opportunity to claim unlawful termination of the contract and compensation for all fees payable during the remaining period.” Shaji Prabhakaran was the AIFF before he was sacked on November 7 last year Secretary, while Nilanjan Bhattacharjee served as Chief Legal Adviser, whose services were also terminated earlier this month.
It is also learned that if the agreement signed in October 2023 is an extension of the previous agreement, AIFF may consider options such as whether the previous clause 9.1 can be interpreted as part of the latest contract.
“AIFF may consider whether the latest contract signed last year (with Stimac) is an extension of the previous contract, in which case the previous severance clause may still be valid (even if not explicitly mentioned),” sources said.
“Alternatively, a contract without a severance clause may be legally disadvantageous and it (the clause) could be included again.”
The AIFF was also unhappy with some of the comments made by Stimac after the loss in Afghanistan and constituted a five-member committee including vice-chairman NA Haris, executive committee members Menla Ethenpa and Anilkumar Prabhakaran and technical committee member IM Vijayan and Anilkumar Prabhakaran. Climax Lawrence discusses with him and seeks clarification on the matter.
AIFF said: “The AIFF President and its members have also taken note of certain comments made by India head coach Igor Stimac in the media after the second qualifying round regarding his future with the team. “
Stimac has said that he will quit in June if he cannot lead India to the third round of World Cup qualifying in June.
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