Until and unless I hear something, I cannot go by some murmur in the media: AIFF chief
AIFF president Praful Patel brushed has aside rumors that senior players have problems with coach Stephen Constantine and has stated that he won't believe social media murmurs. Citing the example of the U-17 team's situation, he also said that in case of a problem, he needs to be informed.
There have been numerous reports surrounding the Indian national football team of late with rumors floating that coach Stephen Constantine and the players are not on the same page. However, AIFF chief Praful Patel has shot down all claims as rumours. He further stated that he will believe the social media rumors until he is concretely told by someone.
“What you are talking, is very hypothetical. Until and unless I hear something, I cannot go by some murmur in the media. I have to be told concretely by somebody that there is a problem. If the problem is not conveyed to us in the right way, I am not going to go on a fish-hunting expedition,” AIFF chief Praful Patel said, reported TOI.
Patel also cited the example of the Under-17 side, where coach Nicolai Adam was axed with less than 12 months to go for the World Cup.
“The U-17 situation was completely extraordinary. The entire team spoke in one voice. I cannot, as AIFF President, be a spectator. I cannot have an unhappy team playing a competition which was extremely important for the country,” Patel added.
Further elaborating on the Under-17 team episode, the AIFF boss also stated that since the team had
“There was no interference. It was only at their request that we stepped in. When they spoke in unison in one voice, we had to listen. They sought an appointment and since we had very less time, we had to take an extraordinary step. That situation rested there,” he further explained.