Indian football team web ST

Picture Credit: Twitter/@IndianFootball

After a shocking revelation was made that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had hired an astrology firm ahead of India’s AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers matches, a new report has emerged claiming that the India football association had plans to further extend the contract by two years. The report has also claimed that the astrologer hired almost ran a parallel coaching program with recruiting new players for the team being one of his duties.

Many other shocking revelations have been made in the report. It says that AIFF Secretary Kushal Das had signed the agreement papers with Nyassa Astrocorp, for a fee of Rs 24 lakhs plus GST for a period of three months from April 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022. The Times of India report further claims that the money was to be paid in three instalments.

“According to the contract, the amount was supposed to be paid in three instalments of eight lakhs (plus applicable GST), on each 21 April, 15 May and 15 June 2022. In addition to the fee, AIFF will also reimburse Nyassa all expenses on actuals during the performance of the duties," TOI claimed the agreement read.

While the first two payments worth INR 16 Lakh were successfully made, the last payment scheduled for the month of June was halted after the incident came to everyone’s notice. The report also says that the AIFF had arrangements to extend the current. "The AIFF shall have first right of negotiation to renew this agreement for a further of two years," the April 29 contract had added, according to the report.

Forensic audit to be initiated

With AIFF receiving all the flak, the acting general secretary of the organization has assured that there will be a forensic audit launched soon to probe into the matter. "We are looking to initiate a forensic audit into the matter and other such related issues," Sunando Dhar, AIFF acting general secretary told TOI.