Raul, Fabio Cannavaro, Ruud van Nistelrooy and fellow Galacticos descending in India to weave magic on carpet does not sound daydreaming anymore with Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon Ramos writing to Sports Minister M S Gill, seeking a passage to India. Gill has reacted by promptly writing to his cabinet colleague and All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, seeking to discuss the next course of action.
Four-time Odisha MP Pinaki Misra's wedding to firebrand TMC MP Mahua Moitra in a quiet, intimate ceremony that chose privacy and tradition over fanfare, was a reflection of his personal style.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
India football coach Bob Houghton denied the racial abuse charges leveled against him by the All India Football Federation, terming them 'baseless', in a written submission made before a three-member panel of the national federation.
There is speculation about his retirement and the Indian captain happily responds with a smile that 'I don't know yet'.
The IPL-style football league has gone ahead full guns blazing to show their presence. The idea is finally coming together. Mumbai's D Y Patil Stadium is scheduled to host the opening match of the inaugural IMG-Reliance league that commences from January 18 next year.
The All India Football Federation's former general secretary has been banned for accepting a payment during Asian Football Confederation (AFC) elections in 2009, FIFA's ethics committee said in a statement on Thursday.
Bhutia lost the election for the AIFF president's post by a big margin of 33-1 to former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey.
At 39, he is, understandably, a different footballer but the hunger for goals remains.
All India Football Federation president Praful Patel on Friday conceded there were "certain issues" between AIFF and Bob Houghton but asserted that the Englishman remains the national coach and will guide the team in next year's Asian Cup in Doha.
A section of the All Indian Football Federation is likely to strongly oppose the extension of national coach Armando Colaco's contract when the matter comes up for discussion in a crucial executive committee meeting in New Delhi.
Chhetri's record against the neighbours is quite impressive, scoring four goals in eight matches including a spectacular strike from a free kick in Kolkata in 2022.
'Overall, it's based on two things. First, it's identifying talent. And then the quality of the educational programme and the coaching is absolutely vital. The AIFF has to take charge of the education with us and we need good cooperation.'
According to the roadmap approved in 2019 with the involvement of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and agreed to by the stakeholders, the I-League champion team of this season (2022-23) as well as that of next year (2023-24) was to get a direct slot in the corresponding next season of top-tier ISL.
AIFF president Praful Patel was elected uncontested as Asian Football Confederation's Vice President of the SAFF Region at the AFC Congress held in Bahrain.
The Indian men's team currently occupies the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation, while the women's side is ranked 11th.
In a heart-warming tribute to his former teammate, Franco Fortunato recalls that "The team that won the Gold Medal in the 1962 Asian Games was a fantastic bunch. But Chuni was above all. He was a treat to watch. He was pure entertainment, a complete package. He was our captain, our darling".
Stephen Constantine has first hand knowledge of how difficult it is to wake up India from its soccer slumber but the Englishman insists he can make a difference at his second attempt or he would not have accepted the offer.
Indian national footbal team coach Stephen Constantine has been offered a one-year extension by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) keeping in mind preparations for the 2019 Asian Cup.
The AIFF is peeved at the decision of the organisers to advance the tournament from September to August.
The planned three-match football series between India and Pakistan in the UK has been derailed and the two countries will now play just one match of the scheduled tie, at Derby on September 3.
Bhaichung Bhutia will have a straight fight with former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey.
The CoA reacted after FIFA threatened to suspend the AIFF and strip off its right to host the women's U-17 World Cup in October due to a third party "influence", a development which came just days after the Supreme Court's directive to hold elections of the national federation.
If an Indian born player with valid Indian passport thinks that he can play football, then All India Football Federation's Chief operating officer (COO) for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Abhishek Yadav is looking for you.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday graced Indian football's historic moment when he greeted players of both the teams ahead of India's opening FIFA U-17 World Cup match against USA, in New Delhi.
Chhetri has played for India 142 times and has scored 92 goals, the most by an Indian. He is also currently the third most prolific scorer in international football among active players, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
In a move to revive football in India, the All India Football Federation has invited investors from the United Arab Emirates to bid for two available club slots in India's top-flight domestic football league.
India is scheduled to play two qualifiers, one match each against Afghanistan and Oman on November 14 and 19 respectively.
FIFA is set to shift India's Under-17 World Cup matches from Mumbai to Delhi as the apex soccer body has taken the host government's request 'very seriously'.
This is the first time the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been banned by FIFA in its 85 year history.
The SC named a Committee of Administrators (CoA), headed by Justice (retd) AR Dave, with SY Qureshi, former Chief Election Commissioner, and Bhaskar Ganguly, former captain of the Indian football team, to run the day-to-day affairs of the national football federation.
Senior advocate and former additional solicitor general of India Amarendra Sharan was on Thursday appointed as the arbitrator to decide on the suspension dispute between Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Mohun Bagan.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
The benchmark for the Croatian former World Cupper may seem to be a bit high but Prabhakaran said it was "the technical committee's decision and is endorsed by the executive committee."
Praful Patel was unanimously elected president of the All India Football Federation at its Annual General Body Meeting, at Football House, the AIFF's headquarters, in Delhi on Thursday.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has been appointed chairman of the All India Football Federation's technical committee, marking the Sikkimese sniper's foray into administration.
The AIFF was criticized for blaming cricket for India's poor showing in football, in which it is ranked 128 in the world.
As per the Indian Olympic Association's regulations, only those national teams which are ranked between 1-8 at the continental level, are cleared for the Games.
GFA shoots down AFC claim, says no evidence
