AIFF vs Sunil Chhetri: Indian football's first Twittergate

Sunil Chettri on Twitter ! Yay or Trouble

Twitter has become an international craze were people tweet about their ideas, what they do, etc. It has also caught-up with players of the Indian national team. One of them is striker Sunil Chhetri, who now might be in serious trouble for two of his tweets.

And there might be another problem arising between the AIFF and its international players after the federation send out a release which stated the ‘AIFF may act tough on Sunil’ after the striker wrote on Twitter two messages thanking what Bob has done the players and that it would be a great loss to Indian football.

The AIFF has interpreted the tweets as criticism of its stand against their own national federation, the release said, “The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has taken strong exception to Sunil Chhetri’s remarks against the National Federation on the issue of National team coach Bob Houghton on twitter.”

On Tuesday, April 19 Sunil Chhetri send these two tweets out into the world

thinking and analysing everyt. that bob has done for us,infact football in india, can’t thank him enough!it ll be a shame if he has to leave

N even worse,we charge him for racism, havnt seen a gentleman like him,leave behind d world class coaching n vast knowledge…sorry bob!

The AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das reacted by saying, “The AIFF is extremely perturbed and concerned that National Team players are making such unnecessary comments relating to AIFF’s functioning and on the issue of coach Bob Houghton as well.”

“The matter will certainly be discussed at AIFF’s next Executive Committee meeting and action may be taken, if necessary,” Kushal Das added.

According to the AIFF Sunil Chhetri was one of seven players who had signed a memorandum accusing former Team India manager Pradip Chowdhury, and was then issued a warning by the AIFF prior to the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Sunil Chhetri was also a signatory of a letter by players and coaching staff in support of Bob Houghton a few weeks ago.

Das stressed, “The AIFF is also in the process of strengthening the Code of Conduct for the players as well as the officials and it would be implemented very soon.”

But the real question is what wrong has Sunil Chhetri done? He just thanked his coach for all the coach has done for him. And expressed his views on Bob leaving. Is freedom of speech no longer wanted???