Stories
India Withdraws From SAFF Championship Amid Club Vs Federation Tussle
- •The All India Football Federation has reportedly decided not to send the Indian team to Bangladesh for the upcoming SAFF Championship.
- •India is the most successful team in SAFF history with nine titles and defeated Kuwait in the 2023 final.
- •The withdrawal stems from a conflict between ISL clubs and the national federation regarding player releases outside the FIFA window.
- •Both SAFF and the Bangladesh Football Federation claimed they had received no official notification of the withdrawal.
- •India's potential absence leaves the tournament with major scheduling uncertainties and a reduced team count.
Key Questions Answered
India's potential withdrawal stems from a long-standing tussle between clubs and the national football federation, as Indian Super League clubs are reluctant to release players outside the FIFA window. The tournament dates clash with multiple key league fixtures after the domestic club season gathered pace.
AIFF vice-president NA Haris, also known as Nalapad Ahmed Haris, represented India at the draw ceremony and assured organisers that the nation would participate. India was subsequently placed in Group B alongside the Maldives and Pakistan.
The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship is scheduled to be hosted in Dhaka from November 4 to 17. India's campaign was set to begin against the Maldives on November 5, followed by a match against Pakistan on November 11.
