The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has responded to allegations of harassment and “heckling” levelled by Executive Committee member Valanka Alemao, who is also part of FIFA’s Women’s Development Committee.
Alemao wrote to the FIFA Ethics Committee chair Martin Ngoga and FIFA Women’s Football Committee chair Laura Georges, seeking an inquiry into the matter and action in accordance with FIFA statutes.
“I am also exploring the possibility of taking up the issue at other important fora to curb this tendency to harass and humiliate a woman member. I request you to take serious note of my complaint and initiate necessary action,” Alemao wrote in a letter dated March 30.
The complaint follows an earlier letter addressed to AIFF on March 29, in which Alemao alleged that federation president Kalyan Chaubey, along with Vice President N.A. Haris and Deputy Secretary General Satyanarayan, made “unnecessary and disrespectful” remarks and repeatedly raised their voices “beyond an acceptable decibel” with the intent to intimidate her.
Responding to the allegations, a senior AIFF official strongly denied any wrongdoing, questioning the basis of the claims.
“Somebody needs to ask what the meaning of ‘heckle’ is. There were 13 Executive Committee members in that boardroom. What is ‘raising voice’? That is what I want to know,” the official told IANS.
The official further suggested that the allegations were being used as a form of pressure, adding, “There was a full board present, including respected members and even a state sports minister. Why would anyone heckle anyone in such a setting?”
Refuting the claims, the AIFF maintained that no harassment, gender-based discrimination, or inappropriate behaviour took place during the meeting.
“There is no heckling, no harassment, no men, no women, and no different behaviour,” the official stated, asserting that there was no need for further clarification.
The controversy stems from an executive committee meeting convened to discuss two key agenda items, the adoption of the National Sports Governance Act by member associations and a proposed 20-year commercial rights bid for the federation.
“It was a standard boardroom discussion. Members are free to agree or disagree. Nothing beyond the agenda was discussed,” the official added.