New Delhi: India’s U-17 World Cup campaign over, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) now faces a challenge to retain the young India players.
Though the AIFF officials have claimed that around a dozen footballers have already signed contracts to play the I-League for the AIFF developmental side, sources said that some of players in the 21-member squad are reluctant to fall in line.
The boys, whose current contracts with the AIFF end on December 31, 2017, have been offered deals up to Rs. 1.50 lakh per month by certain I-League clubs and ISL franchises.
The AIFF, on the other hand, has offered a three-year contract with a flat salary of Rs. 50,000 per month.
The unwilling boys include a host of leading players like Dheeraj Singh, Suresh Singh, Jeakson Singh, Amarjit Singh, Komal Thatal and Rahul KP.
They have been advised by their new-found agents, officials in different clubs or family members not to accept the three-year contract offered by the AIFF.
There are also allegations that some former India stars are working behind the scene to help clubs acquire the services of these boys.
The nature of the contract and its terms and conditions have also not been liked by the footballers.
While the players felt that the amount was not sufficient, they are also not happy with the clauses in the contracts, which stop them from having independent negotiations and make it mandatory to go through the AIFF regarding any negotiations for the next five years.
The problem is that many of these players have already received big offers. While goalkeeper Dheeraj has a big offer from an ISL franchise, others are dreaming of playing for big teams in the I-League beginning next month.
Asked, a senior AIFF official said several factors are working against the players signing deals with the AIFF.
“Not just the agents, unfortunately even some of the former India players are involved in it.
“To add to it, the agents are also misleading the boys and their parents.
“We are trying hard to keep the boys together and build up as a strong team for the future. But we are not going to beg the players. They will be allowed to go if they want to,” he said.
