India yet to pay Brazil and Uruguay in full for friendlies

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not fully paid Brazil and Uruguay for their October friendlies in Kolkata, after general body members blocked a plan to break a fixed deposit and settle the dues.

Both South American sides have reportedly received only half of their appearance fees.

According to the Times of India, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey asked members to approve an early withdrawal from a Rs 20 crore fixed deposit, promising to return the money later. Members objected, arguing that the fund should be touched only in a genuine emergency.

Vice-president NA Haris reminded the virtual meeting that the executive committee had already decided against using the deposit. Praful Patel, who was president when the deposit was built up, also spoke against the proposal, and several presidents of member associations backed him.

One official summed up the federation’s position after the meeting.

“Until the executive committee approves, money from the fixed deposit cannot be utilised to pay the dues.”

Members agreed to form a core group chaired by Haris, where the finer details will be shared. The total owed was not disclosed at the meeting because of confidentiality clauses in the contracts.

AIFF has reportedly asked for more time to clear roughly Rs 19 crore owed to Brazil and Rs 4.7 crore owed to Uruguay. Panama, who played their own friendly in Bengaluru, are understood to have been paid in full.

The money problems trace back to the gate. AIFF had hoped for ticket revenue of Rs 30 to 40 crore, but high prices dampened demand, and the federation was forced to rethink how it sold seats.

It offered discounted tickets to supporters of Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting, and advertised a buy-one-get-one-free deal for the Brazil match on its social media accounts.

The federation may also have to hand back part of the Rs 25 crore it received from its ticketing partner as a recoupable advance, adding further pressure to its finances.

Brazil arrived with a near full-strength squad, including Vinicius Jr, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Endrick and Estevao. For all that star power, AIFF is now left searching for a way to settle the bill.