Former India Coach Igor Stimac Threatens Legal Action Against AIFF Over Unilateral Sacking

Former India football coach Igor Stimac has issued a stern warning to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), demanding the immediate settlement of his contractual dues within the next ten days. Terming his sacking as “unilateral”, Stimac has threatened to file a lawsuit in the FIFA Tribunal if the AIFF fails to clear his dues.

Stimac, who was dismissed from his position on Monday, accused AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey of multiple breaches of contract and held him responsible for the Indian team’s failure to progress beyond the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The Croatian coach, clearly distressed by his experience, stated that his tenure in India left him with significant health issues, and he expressed a desire to sever all ties with the AIFF.

“I kindly ask you to immediately, but not later in the next ten (10) days, organize payment to me for this termination of the contract without just cause in the amount which will represent a residual value of my employment contract that was prematurely terminated from AIFF side,” Stimac demanded. He emphasized that this amount should reflect the remaining value of his contract, as per Article 6 of Annex 2 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. “Otherwise, I will start proceedings against the AIFF before the competent FIFA Football Tribunal and file a lawsuit,” he added.

The AIFF terminated Stimac’s contract exactly one year before its expiry, following the Indian team’s exit from the World Cup Qualifiers despite being in a relatively favorable group. Stimac, 56, has been at odds with Chaubey for some time and criticized the AIFF for unprofessional and unethical conduct, including announcing his termination without prior discussion with him.

“Publishing something like this (his termination) prior to reaching the conversation with me is blatantly unprofessional and unethical,” Stimac stated.

Stimac was appointed head coach in 2019 and was given a contract extension until 2026 by the AIFF last October. Without a severance clause in his recent contract signed on October 5, 2023, the AIFF might be required to pay him the full remaining contract value, amounting to approximately Rs six crore.

Citing several instances of contract breaches by the AIFF, Stimac accused Chaubey of altering his public statements given to AIFF media and criticized the organization for the poor handling of team logistics and selections. “President Mr. Chaubey, together with SAI (Sports Authority of India) officials, changed my official players list for the Asian Games, adding three senior players and allowing ISL clubs to decide which players will represent the country at the Asian Games,” Stimac charged.

“The way you organized the travel for our team going to China and back was unforgettable,” he added, also alleging that Chaubey cancelled a press conference scheduled after the AFC Asian Cup, where India failed to win any matches or score a single goal.

Reflecting on his troubled stint, Stimac revealed the toll it took on his health. “Hereby I am adding my lawyer Mr. Radic to take over our communication because I don’t want to speak or hear from AIFF anymore because AIFF has caused me enough health problems with its acts against me in the past two years,” he stated. Stimac disclosed that AIFF’s actions led to severe stress, requiring medical intervention just before the AFC Asian Cup.

Finally, Stimac emphasized that the current state of disarray in Indian football was not due to him or his staff. As the situation unfolds, the AIFF faces mounting pressure to address Stimac’s claims and avoid a potentially damaging legal battle on the international stage.