Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri on FIFA ban threat

Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri advised other players on Sunday to keep giving their best on the pitch and not worry about the threat of a FIFA ban on Indian football.

Earlier this month, world football’s governing body FIFA threatened to suspend the AIFF and strip it of the right to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup in October due to a ” influence” of a third party, the warning coming just days after the Supreme Court’s directive. organize the elections of the national federation.

The SC appointed Committee of Trustees (CoA) has since initiated the election process. Elections are scheduled for August 28.

“Not under our control”

“I have spoken to the boys and my advice is not to pay too much attention to it because it is out of your control,” Chhetri said during a virtual media interaction hosted by his club Bengaluru FC as part of preparing for the new season. .

“Those involved are doing their best to make sure we’re going to get the best possible results. Everyone is working hard to achieve that. When it comes to the players, we’re going to make sure we’re doing our job right.

Improve yourself

“We have to make sure that you improve as a player. Whenever you have the opportunity to represent your club or your country, put your best foot forward. All the other verticals in the AIFF try to fix as much as possible to make sure they come out with flying colors,” he said.

India will host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup from October 11-30 and the Union cabinet last month approved the signing of guarantees to host the women’s age group showpiece in Bhubaneswar, Goa and Mumbai.

The Durand Cup will kick off the season in Kolkata on August 16 and Bengaluru FC will face Jamshedpur FC on the second day of the tournament.

Having won every major domestic title since the team’s inception in 2013, Les Bleus will be desperate to add the missing Durand Cup to their trophy cabinet.

For Chhetri too, it is “very, very special” as he has also failed to win Asia’s oldest football competition, the 131st edition of which will be held this year.

“It’s very, very special. It’s one of the oldest tournaments which in itself is very big. But more so for me. As a club we haven’t won and individually I haven’t won. not win the Durand Cup.

“I’ve been lucky enough to win a lot of tournaments, almost every tournament you can in India, and the Durand Cup is missing.

“So for me it’s an extra motivation. As a club we will do our best. Last year our young boys gave a good image of themselves, we want to improve that.” For the first time, all 11 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs will participate in the tournament.

Trophyless for the past two seasons, BFC have had some interesting signings in former ATK sniper Mohun Bagan Roy Krishna, Javi Hernandez, Probir Das and Sandesh Jhingan.

Chhetri’s pairing with Fijian star Roy Krishna may have become the talk of the town, but the Indian skipper has tried to play it down.

“I think the couple is overhyped. It’s not the couple, it’s just Roy. I’m just happy with Roy. We’re just going to make sure that boy is happy because we know what he can He’s been exceptional in training.

“He’s bothered us a lot the last two years so having him wear our shirt is a nice feeling. We’ll sit down to keep him happy and rest, we all know what he can do on the pitch.

“He does his best to be part of the team, making sure he speaks to all the youngsters. He has been very cheerful. With so much experience, he is not shy about speaking his mind. He is makes sure everyone around him is happy,” Chhetri said.

Chhetri will reunite with Indian teammate Sandesh Jhingan at the club as the centre-back returns five years after winning the Federation Cup with the team.

Calling it a “welcome addition”, Chhetri said: “I wish him all the best. I want to assure him that we are going to give him all the support he needs and also know that he is going to give everything that he needs. he has for us. to do well.”