AIFF signs professional contract with Indian FIFA referees

Indian FIFA Referees Pratap Singh, C.R. Srikrishna and M.B. Santosh Kumar signed a professional contract, the first of its kind in India with the All India Football Federation at Football House, the AIFF Headquarters yesterday.

This is the first time any referee has been brought under a contract system in India. The event took place as the two-day Match Commissioner and Referee Assessor Education Course ended at the AIFF Headquarters. AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das signed the contract along with the three referees.

Head of Referees Department Goutam Kar, who conducted the seminar, spoke about the significance of the matter. “It is an epoch making day for referees in India. This is a seven month contract which the three referees are being signed. They will get their monthly salaries and all other expenses except match fee will be taken care of by AIFF," he informed.

"The contract will run from October to May on a trial basis. After assessing its pros and cons we will extend it," Goutam Kar added.

FIFA referee Pratap Singh said, "I feel honoured to be a part of this professional system. It means we have to put in that extra bit on match days and do our job more prudently and with care. We are thankful to AIFF for choosing us."

Santosh Kumar added it's a dream come true. "We have got the boost to give our best and improve ourselves. We have been trusted with added responsibility and we are ready to grateful to AIFF."

C.R. Srikrishna maintained, "Our responsibility has increased. We cannot let AIFF down. I want to thank the Federation for thinking us worthy of the contract."