New Delhi: All India Football Federation (AIFF) Executive Committee member and chairperson of the Women’s Football Committee Valanka Alemao Churchill has alleged that she was ‘targeted’, heckled’ and ‘harassed’ by the governing body’s top brass for raising concerns over procedural irregularities. In a statement, the AIFF has denied these claims.The alleged incident took place during AIFF’s Executive Committee meeting in New Delhi on March 29.
In her letter to fellow Executive Committee members, Alemao has criticised AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, Vice President NA Harris and Deputy General Secretary M Satyanarayan.“I wish to place on record the entirely disgusting behaviour of the AIFF President Mr Kalyan Chaubey, Vice President Mr N. A. Haris and Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan….I feel deeply prejudiced and I found that several attempts were made by the President to suppress my voice…,” Valanka, the only female member on AIFF’s Executive Committee, wrote in an email.“The President made remarks against me which were unnecessary and disrespectful. He along with the DSG raised his tone time and again beyond an acceptable decibel with the intention to intimidate me…..Throughout the course of the meeting, I was consistently targeted.”In the recent past, Alemao had raised multiple irregularities in Indian football. She questioned the fact that members were not kept in the loop for the commercial rights tender document.“I feel deeply prejudiced and I found that several attempts were made by the President to suppress my voice. However, for the interest of the sport, I believe that it is imperative for me to highlight the incidents to ensure that such actions are not repeated in the subsequent meetings,” she wrote in the email.“As an executive committee member, I have the power and responsibility to enquire about important agreements, provide feedback and voice my dissent on decisions that are unconstitutional and illegal,” she continued.“In the meeting I was informed that I do not have the right to seek details on the operations of the federation,” she said.“I believe that my concerns on the procedural irregularities over the past few months has perturbed few members. And it is deeply concerning to note that during this meeting decisions were taken and approvals were sought without considering the powers of the general body.”Alemao had also slammed the AIFF officials for poor preparations that hurt India women’s team during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Ahead of the tournament earlier this month in Australia, players and coaching staff had received poorly fitting jerseys and became a moment of global embarrassment.AIFF denies claims, says Alemao has vested interestsIn a statement later in the day, AIFF denied these allegations and accused the Churchill Brothers’ CEO Alemao of trying to force her way into the Indian Super League ‘through exceptional means.’“The AIFF categorically rejects the recent claims made by Executive Committee Ms. Valanka Alemao and wishes to place certain facts on record in the interest of transparency and clarity,” it said in a statement.“The AIFF reiterates that all meetings and decisions of the federation are conducted strictly in accordance with its Articles of Association and established procedures.”Churchill Brothers are currently embroiled in a legal mess with the AIFF for not getting promoted last season. The Goan club has also accused AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey for conflict of interest with Delhi High Court hearing the proceedings.“Following this, several legal petitions were filed by members of Ms. Alemao’s family. Despite being an Executive Committee member of the AIFF, Ms. Alemao repeatedly attempted to influence proceedings during official meetings with the objective of securing the inclusion of her club in the ISL,” AIFF said.
