The bitter divorce between the AIFF and former India coach Igor Stimac has taken a new turn as legal action looms over a disputed severance payout. The AIFF claims that Stimac's contract, which was negotiated and signed by the former general secretary, was changed to include a termination clause not favorable to the federation. However, Stimac and his legal team deny this. Despite multiple opportunities to negotiate, both parties remain at an impasse and the issue will likely be resolved in court.
Igor Štimac and the All India Football Federation: A Bitter Divorce
Background
Igor Štimac, a former Croatian international footballer, was appointed as the head coach of the India national football team in 2019. Under his leadership, the team made significant progress, reaching the final of the SAFF Championship and qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup.
However, relations between Štimac and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) deteriorated in recent months. The AIFF accused Štimac of making derogatory comments about the federation and its officials, while Štimac criticized the AIFF's lack of support and poor infrastructure.
Legal Dispute
The dispute reached a boiling point when the AIFF terminated Štimac's contract in December 2022. Štimac claims that he was owed a severance payout of around $1 million under his contract, but the AIFF refused to pay the full amount, citing a breach of contract.
Štimac has since taken legal action against the AIFF, accusing the federation of unfair dismissal and breach of contract. The AIFF has denied these allegations and maintains that Štimac's contract was terminated for legitimate reasons.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why was Igor Štimac fired as the head coach of the India national football team?
The AIFF terminated Štimac's contract for making derogatory comments about the federation and its officials, and for allegedly breaching his contract.
2. What is Štimac's legal claim against the AIFF?
Štimac claims that the AIFF breached his contract by unfairly dismissing him and refusing to pay his severance payout.
3. What is the AIFF's defense against Štimac's claims?
The AIFF maintains that Štimac's contract was terminated for legitimate reasons, including his breach of contract and derogatory comments.
4. What is the status of the legal dispute?
The legal dispute is ongoing. Both parties have participated in mediation, but no agreement has been reached. The case is likely to be resolved in court.
5. What are the potential consequences of this dispute for the India national football team?
The ongoing legal dispute could disrupt the team's preparation for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup and other international competitions. It could also damage the reputation of the AIFF and the India national football team.
As the transfer window opens, Premier League clubs are already hard at work securing new signings and making major changes. Manchester United is looking to offload players and bring in fresh talent with Ruben Amorim leading the way. Meanwhile, Liverpool is fighting to keep key players as their contracts near expiration. Across the league, teams like Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also looking to bolster their squads for a strong second half of the season. Stay updated with all the latest news and rumors throughout the day.
In a rain-reduced match, New Zealand's strong bowling attack led by Will O'Rourke and Jacob Duffy proved too much for Sri Lanka as they collapsed to 142 all out, losing by 113 runs. Sri Lanka's top order once again failed to produce, with only Kaminu Mendis scoring above 30. Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka acknowledged their poor play in the power play as a major factor in their loss. With a 2-0 lead in the series, New Zealand looks poised for a clean sweep in the upcoming third match in Auckland.
The transfer window has been open for eight days, but Manchester City have yet to make any signings. However, according to reports, they are considering a move for Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina to bolster their defence. With plenty of time for clubs to make their moves, the January transfer window promises to be an interesting one to follow.
Craig Burley warns that Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus could ultimately lead to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta losing his job if they continue to underperform in crucial matches like their recent defeat against Newcastle United. The loss has dealt a blow to their title hopes and highlights their desperate need for a top-tier striker like Alexander Isak, whom they have been priced out of signing. Burley explains that Arsenal's struggles in the final third, compared to their competitors, could be due to a lack of goal-scoring options.
Alexander Isak's impressive performance, including a goal and earning the Player of the Match award, helped lead Newcastle to a unexpected 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final. This win extends Newcastle's winning streak to seven matches and puts them in a strong position for the second leg. Arsenal, on the other hand, have a big challenge ahead as they try to overturn the deficit, with Isak's quality and clinical finishing being praised as potential game changers. There are also reports that Newcastle will only consider offers in the range of £150million for the highly sought-after striker.
The EFL Cup semi-finals are here with Arsenal and Newcastle facing off in a two-leg match to secure a spot in the final. Both teams have fought hard to reach this stage, and fans can expect some intense games at the Emirates Stadium and St. James' Park. Don't miss out on all the action as the two teams clash to claim the coveted trophy.
As the January transfer window continues, Arsenal have yet to make any significant signings despite the need to strengthen their squad for the Premier League title race. Manager Mikel Arteta is eyeing a move for Nico Williams, but the high cost involved may delay the deal until summer. In the meantime, reports suggest that the Gunners are also looking to make a second bid for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, with the Spanish club likely to be more open to selling the 23-year-old.
The ongoing three-match series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is facing another delay due to rain in Hamilton. The second ODI was supposed to start with the toss, but the shower forced players to huddle up and wait for the ground to dry. As the teams prepare for the run chase, both sides are eager to secure a win in this tightly contested series.
The first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals is set to be an exciting match-up as Arsenal and Newcastle face off. The Gunners are looking to add another trophy to their cabinet, but they'll have to navigate without key players against a confident Newcastle side. With a lineup that includes Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Isak, both teams will be vying for the advantage before their trip to St. James' Park. Catch all the action for free on ITV and ITVX in the UK.
The second ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is set to take place in Hamilton and promises to be an action-packed match. With players like Rachin Ravindra and Will Young leading the teams, fans can expect thrilling performances on the field. Make sure to tune in for updates and coverage on Sportstar.