Igor Stimac Prepares For Legal Battle Against AIFF After Sudden Dismissal

Igor Stimac is preparing to take legal action against the All India Football Federation (AIFF) after his sudden dismissal as the head coach of the Indian football team, according to a report by RevSportz.

The Croatian coach, who was sacked following a disappointing World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, had reportedly proposed an alternative resolution to the AIFF before the termination notice was served.

RevSportz revealed that Stimac offered to resign without any compensation if the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and senior officials would also take responsibility and resign alongside him.

Stimac argued that the federation's failure to provide adequate support and fulfill promises significantly contributed to the team's poor performance. His proposal, however, was rejected, leading to his abrupt dismissal and his decision to seek legal recourse.

In a virtual meeting on June 16, 2024, AIFF senior officials, chaired by Vice President Mr. N.A. Haris, unanimously agreed that a new head coach was necessary to lead the team forward. Acting Secretary General Mr. M. Satyanarayan was instructed to notify Stimac of his termination, effective immediately.

The AIFF, in its statement further thanked Stimac for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours but did not mention any details regarding the compensation package that Stimac would receive following his dismissal. However, president Kalyan Chaubey criticised the 56-year-old Croatian in media saying that Stimac gave too many excuses and is responsible for the team's failure.

Stimac, however, has maintained that he should not bear the full responsibility for the team's failures. His contract, running until June 2026, included a substantial salary and a severance pay clause estimated at approximately Rs 3 crore. The financial implications of this contract have made the AIFF's decision to terminate his engagement a contentious issue.

With the AIFF rejecting his proposal for a collective resignation and instead choosing to terminate his contract unilaterally, Stimac is now gearing up for a legal battle. He believes that the AIFF's decision was unjust and that the federation's top officials should also be held accountable for their role in the team's disappointing performance.

Implications for Indian Football

The impending legal confrontation between Stimac and the AIFF is expected to be a protracted and high-stakes affair, with significant repercussions for both parties. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this dispute will impact the future of Indian football and the leadership of the national team.