Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has urged Indian football fans to boycott the upcoming India-Brazil friendly, questioning the value of spending a large sum on a single 90-minute match. He believes the money could instead be used to strengthen football infrastructure and support athletes in Bengal.
Brazil are scheduled to face India at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on October 3, after the AIFF withdrew India from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup because of a scheduling clash. Speaking to 420 Grams, Bhutia argued that the reported expenditure on the friendly would be better directed towards long-term sporting development.
“If Rs 50 to 70 crore for one 90-minute match is going to Brazil, then what are we getting in return? Maybe 90 minutes of entertainment,” Bhutia said.
“I hope the Bengal government becomes sensible enough to realise that they are being misguided by Kalyan Chaubey. If the Bengal government is going to pay for or try to raise money for this match, please raise it for Bengal to have the next few gold medallists at the Commonwealth Games.”
The AIFF has defended its decision to prioritise Brazil, saying the match presents an exceptional opportunity for Indian football and could provide a morale boost to the national team. The federation has also rejected claims of a predetermined financial penalty following India’s ASEAN Cup withdrawal.
BHUTIA QUESTIONS BRAZIL SPEND
Bhutia argued that the reported expenditure could have a greater long-term impact if invested in Bengal’s sporting infrastructure and athletes. He pointed to the state’s performance at the Commonwealth Games and suggested a broader development programme.
“This time, Bengal did not have a single athlete who won a medal at the Commonwealth Games,” Bhutia said. “So, when you have Rs 30 crore, please invest it over the next four years to have 10 medals in Commonwealth Games.”
He also suggested using the money to create futsal facilities across the state.
“With Rs 30 crore, make 100 futsal grounds. At least seven-a-side futsal grounds are going to come in 100 grounds in different districts. Use it, utilise it properly.”
Bhutia had previously criticised the AIFF’s decision to withdraw from the ASEAN Cuparguing that a FIFA-recognised competition would offer India more meaningful competitive exposure than a single friendly.
CONCERNS FOR INDIAN CLUBS
The former India captain also linked the Brazil fixture to the financial difficulties facing domestic clubs, warning that large spending on one match could have consequences for teams already struggling to attract investment.
“East Bengal will struggle because of Brazil,” Bhutia said. “If Rs 50 crore is gone from Bengal, East Bengal will have no investors and no sponsors for the next five years because the money is not there in the market.”
He added that clubs such as East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting could suffer if significant funds were directed towards the friendly rather than the domestic game.
Bhutia’s comments come amid wider uncertainty in Indian football, with clubs facing financial pressures and the ISL’s future having gone through prolonged uncertainty. The AIFF has maintained that the Brazil fixture was approved through the appropriate institutional processes and has rejected claims about the cost and use of federation funds, with one federation official publicly asking Bhutia to provide evidence for his figures.
India’s Brazil friendly is scheduled for October 3 in Kolkata, while the ASEAN Cup runs from September 21 to October 6. The clash between the two commitments led the AIFF to withdraw from the tournament and prioritise the high-profile friendly.
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