Football News: Indian team coach Igor Stimac meets administrators both mum on contract extension

His fate is unknown now, but the Croatian World Cup bronze winner is chalking out plans for the national team's assignments ahead. He had a virtual exchange with CoA on Friday after the panel took charge of the affairs of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as a consequence of the Praful Patel fiasco. In addition, three senior players — Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan — also met the CoA members. 

Stimac has big plans for India; his contract might be extended

Interestingly, the CoA and Stimac abstained from mentioning the latter's contract. Stimac revealed that it was a good meeting, and he is optimistic about working together in the future. He understands the importance of supporting the national team's needs and overseeing the preparation over fixating on his contract. In June 2022, the Indian team qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup after winning all three group matches in Kolkata. After the meeting, Stimac raged about international friendly games for the national team later this year and extended camps in 2023 before the Asian Cup. 

He said, 'I am thankful to them (CoA) for their support to understand that the NT (national team) needs to be the focus now. They need a proper camp, which is a minimum of two weeks in September in Kerala. Two international friendlies and one practice game with KBFC (Kerala Blasters). Similar plans in March 2023 but a bit longer camp. Discussed many other points including the development plans."

Meanwhile, the CoA reportedly will stay away from making long-term decisions. The panel wants to organise the AIFF elections as soon as possible and allow the newly elected office-bearers to make critical decisions. The CoA, comprising former Supreme Court judge Justice Anil Dave, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureshi and ex-India football captain Bhaskar Ganguly was impressed with Stimac's plans for India. 

CoA focused on holding elections, and Stimac's future was uncertain

The CoA wants to make amendments to the Constitution of AIFF and host the next election following the new constitution established under the supervision of the Supreme Court. After taking a tour of the country, the FIFA-AFC team told the Indian football stakeholders to close the elections by September 15. The world body could ban the country if they fail to do so. The Sports Ministry is expected to get involved concerning Stimac's contract that even the CoA is unsure of. A decision made by the newly-elected office-bearers of the AIFF after September 15 might be too late for Stimac, who took charge in May 2019 and was handed a one-year extension in 2021.