AIFF To Have 'Independent' Inquiry Into Ex-Head Coach Igor Stimac's Contract Renewal Process

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday called for an independent inquiry into former head coach Igor Stimac's contract renewal procedures after the Croatian and the national body agreed to USD 400,000 compensation settlement for terminating him from the job. During the Annual General Body meeting of the AIFF held here, the members discussed the renewal, termination and eventual settlement of claims under the federation's contract with Stimac. "The members called for an independent inquiry into the internal procedures that had been followed and the personnel that were involved when the head coach's contract had been renewed in 2023 on unapproved and unfavourable terms," the AIFF said.

It noted that Stimac had filed a claim of USD 920,000 before the FIFA Football Tribunal before eventually entering into a full and final settlement with the AIFF.

The AIFF also said that the head coach's contract renewed in 2023 eventually left the national body "in a compromised negotiating position leading to significant financial detriment to the federation in the settlement of the claim." The AIFF sacked Stimac in June, terminating his contract exactly a year before it was to expire in the wake of the side's ouster from the second round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers despite getting a relatively easy draw.

The sacking was followed by a bitter war of words between Stimac and the AIFF with the Croatian threatening to sue the federation if it didn't settle his dues within 10 days. However, the two parties have now reached an agreement.

In March, sources in the AIFF had said that the initial contract signed with Stimac had a severance clause (9.1) which provided for three months' notice period. But the later contract (signed in