Bhaichung Bhutia, the former Indian football team captain, has once again raised his voice against high-profile friendly against Brazil in Kolkata. The fixtures is scheduled to take place at the Salt Lake Stadium on October 3 and according to several media reports, staging Brazil's visit could cost organisers around ₹60-70 crore.
Bhutia has already expressed his displeasure over the financial risk surrounding the fixture. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has planned to pay an advance amount to the Brazilian Football Confederation which would later be recovered through sponsors and private partners. The former Indian captain has now gone a step ahead, urging the fans to send a message by staying away from the match.
“Boycott that Brazil match. Then I think that is a big message. Then every organiser, every federation will think twice,” Bhutia said during an interaction with 420 Grams.
Questioning the West Bengal government’s decision, Bhutia argued that the funds could deliver a far greater long-term impact if channelled towards developing athletes and improving sports infrastructure.
“If the Bengal government is going to pay or try and raise [money] for this match, please raise it for Bengal to have the next few gold medals in the Commonwealth Games,” Bhutia said. “So when you have ₹30 crore, please invest it in the next four years to have 10 medals in the Commonwealth Games.
“We are trying to bring the Olympics here. Try and have Olympians from Bengal winning medals there. Or with the ₹30 crore, make 100 futsal grounds — seven-a-side futsal grounds. You can have 100 grounds in different [areas]. Use it, utilise it properly. Don't waste it for one 90-minute [match] and think the money is gone.”
“If the match happens, everybody is excited, fans come in, you know, media, the government, everybody will be happy. But once the match happens, your money is gone and your football is 20 years behind,” he said.
Bhutia also cautioned that investing such a substantial amount in a single event could further trouble an already challenging sponsorship market for Kolkata’s traditional clubs.
“East Bengal will struggle because of Brazil. If ₹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, and clubs like East Bengal are going to suffer,” Bhutia said. “Clubs like Mohammedan Sporting are going to suffer if ₹50 to ₹70 crore for one 90-minute match is going to go to Brazil.”
