Former Indian football coach Igor Stimac has issued a stern ultimatum to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), declaring that he will initiate legal proceedings at the FIFA Tribunal if his outstanding dues are not settled within the next ten days.
Stimac, who was recently terminated from his coaching role, criticized AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey for what he described as breaches of contract and blamed him for the national team’s disappointing performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
To all Indian football fans and my blue tigers,
It’s been an honour to serve you over the last 5 years. I didn’t expect to form such a strong bond with this country and be so personally invested when I first joined you all.
I’m proud of every player and team member. Together.. pic.twitter.com/fLj2RzfjYg
— Igor Štimac (@stimac_igor) June 19, 2024
In a strongly-worded statement, Stimac highlighted the unilateral nature of his dismissal, labeling it as unjust and unprofessional. He expressed frustration over the AIFF’s handling of the situation, particularly their failure to engage in prior discussions with him before publicly announcing his termination.
Stimac, 56, originally appointed in 2019, saw his contract extended until 2026 last year, but his recent termination lacked a severance clause. He asserted that the AIFF’s decision to remove him prematurely without just cause has had a detrimental impact on his health, citing stress and strain caused by ongoing conflicts with AIFF officials over the past two years.
Accusing Chaubey of interference in team matters such as player selections for tournaments and organizational issues during travel, Stimac criticized what he termed as unethical practices. He highlighted specific incidents, including the cancellation of his post-match press conference after the AFC Asian Cup, where India failed to secure any victories.
Igor Stimac concluded his statement by announcing his lawyer, Mr. Radic, would handle all future communications with the AIFF, emphasizing his desire to distance himself from further interactions with the federation due to the health implications of their actions.
“If the AIFF fails to comply with my demands within the stipulated timeframe,” Stimac warned, “I will proceed to file a lawsuit at the FIFA Football Tribunal to seek justice and uphold my rights as per FIFA regulations.”
The AIFF, which terminated Stimac’s contract following India’s early exit from the World Cup Qualifiers, faces potential legal action that could lead to significant financial repercussions, given the remaining duration and value of Stimac’s contract.
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