AIFF ExCo appoints Armando Colaco as interim coach, other decisions

The Executive Committee of the All India Football Federation met at Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi today with its president Praful Patel presiding over the meeting. Also in attendence where General Secretary Kushal Das, the vice-presidents Subrata Dutta, Joaquim Alemao, Ankur Dutta and other members of the ExCo.

The Committee unanimously decided on the following topics:

1. Armando Colaco has been appointed as Team India's interim coach for four months. He will be in charge of the team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup - Asian qualifiers and the international Friendlies that have already been fixed up.

2. It has been decided to host India's 2014 FIFA World Cup - Asian qualifier against the UAE at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The match is slated for July 28.

3. The Committee ratified the decision to stick to the 3+1 format as far as foreign recruits in the I-League are concerned.

4. Furthermore, the Committee has referred the case of suspended Shillong Lajong FC player -- Saikhohao Tuboi -- to the Players Status Committee which is slated to meet on May 27.

5. The Committee gave its consent to Team India's Friendly matches (Olympic Under-23 Team) against Pakistan subject to clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

6. The Committee agreed that it is critical to appoint a Technical Director at the earliest to assist in the Development Programme and appointment of Coaches.

7. The President also congratulated Shillong Lajong FC and Sporting Clube de Goa for qualifying for next season's I-League. Both the teams, however, would have to meet the AFC Club Licensing criteria. The AFC Inspection Team is due to visit the two clubs on June 11/12.

8. The Committee also took the decision that efforts should be intensified to find a sponsor for the Indian Arrows team by May 31. In case no sponsor is found, a decision will be taken by the Emergency Committee about the future of the Arrows.

9. The Asian Football Confederation will conduct a workshop for I-League representatives in August and organise educational trips if necessary.

10. The proposal to hold the final phase of the 2nd Division League on a Home-and-Away basis has been referred to the Advisory Group on Competitions. The Advisory Group would also take a final decision on the participation of I-League Players in the local leagues.

11. The Committee also decided that National Team midfielder N.P. Pradeep should publish an advertisement in a National Daily (all editions -- at his own cost) making a disclaimer that he has not posted any derogatory comments on any Social Networking Website and also apologise for any disregard caused to the AIFF and its officials.

12. The Committee will request Doordarshan for the live telecast of the semifinal and the final of the 65th Santosh Trophy currently being played in Assam.