Bhubaneswar: Indian football faces a fresh hurdle with 14 key players delayed from joining the national camp due to club refusals, impacting head coach Khalid Jamil’s preparations for upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.
Clubs, including champions Mohun Bagan SG, cite non-mandatory release outside FIFA windows and complaints about federation support and player welfare, fueling the conflict. Jamil has urged for more dialogue and unity, flagging that the delayed arrivals leave the squad fragmented just ahead of vital matches.
The All India Football Federation continues negotiations with domestic clubs, hoping for a breakthrough that balances club priorities and the country’s campaign, as India’s FIFA ranking dropped to 134 despite competitive showings .This tug-of-war highlights the urgent need for improved coordination between clubs and governing bodies if Indian football is to progress at the international level.
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