The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to senior men's team head coach Igor Stimac for making comments construed as a breach of agreement by the federation.
Hitting out at some of the ISL clubs for their unwillingness to release players for the national camp in preparation for the Asian Games, World Cup Qualifiers and the Asian Cup, Stimac said if Indian football needs his help, he will need to tell the truth.
The former Croatian defender coming out in the open with his views didn't go down well with the AIFF brass, as they sought a response from the coach.
Stimac has been walking on thin ice after his red card against Pakistan during the SAFF Championship in Bangalore in June and a senior AIFF official had asked him to show restraint.
Stimac still did not change his stance and social media posts had put AIFF and its stakeholders in a spot of bother. The federation — the present dispensation completed one year in power on Saturday — will decide on his fate once Stimac replies to the letter.
The notice came at a time when the Indian team prepares to play in the King's Cup starting on Thursday in Thailand.
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati will host India's opening two home matches in the Fifa World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 preliminary joint qualification Round 2, the AIFF announced on Saturday.
