Federation may now be seeking time
KOLKATA: By stating that the India under-17 team would resume training on February 1 and that the “welfare of the boys” is its “utmost priority” while denying that coach Nicolai Adam has been sacked, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) may be buying time.
That is the impression HT got by speaking to different AIFF officials, all of whom requested anonymity given the sensitive nature of the issue. The reason for seeking time isn’t just because so-far positive vibes around the under-17 World Cup could be severely hit by replacing a coach months before the competition. There could also be the issue of Adam seeking a hefty compensation for his sacking.
A third reason could be the AIFF did not follow its rules in seeking to replace Adam. The copy of the AIFF constitution available online does not list it in the powers of the president or the general secretary. Speaking to different AIFF officials, HT gathered that the hiring or removal of a coach can be done only by the federation’s executive committee usually on the recommendation of its technical committee that is now headed by Bhaichung Bhutia.
It is nobody’s case that the charges against Adam and his deputy are very serious.
“We Indians are used to taking a lot of rubbish before protesting,” said an AIFF official.
It is also true that at least once in the past, the AIFF, under Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, removed an India coach after reports emerged that he had hit a player. Both the player and the coach had denied the charge.
There are, however, precedents in the AIFF not following its rules. The unprecedented situation of Mohun Bagan pulling out of an I-League tie against East Bengal was solved by the AIFF flouting competition rules.
Last season, the punishment of a coach was reduced even though it was the minimum according to the AIFF’s rules. So, should Adam go --- or be made to go following a compromise given that his reputation is at stake, like former India coach Bob Houghton’s was --- it won’t be a first. A possible way out could be after a thorough investigation --- another reason for the AIFF to seek time --- the players and the coach are sat together to make a fresh beginning and an observer appointed.
Should the players still not budge, a technical official whose term is up could be given charge.
Given that it would be a winwin situation for anyone appointed coach in such a circumstance, there won’t be any dearth of takers for what is till now Adam’s job.
GIVEN THAT IT WOULD BE AWINWINSITUATION FOR ANYONE APPOINTED COACH IN SUCH A CIRCUMSTANCE, THERE WON’T BE ANY DEARTH OF TAKERS FOR WHAT IS TILL NOW ADAM’S JOB