The Players’ Status Committee of the All India Football Federation met yesterday to decide on the non-payment of salaries to the footballers from the two premier clubs of the country.

Valanka Alemao (CEO, Churchill Brothers SC): “There is a problem with regards to payments of two former players, held up due to several reasons. The club will no doubt fulfill its obligation, and as such the club has never defaulted in payments ever since Churchill Brothers SC has come into existence.”

“The failure of the AIFF to govern Indian football comes to the fore when Churchill Brothers have not been paid the full complement of the 2012-13 Winners Prize Money of Rs 70 lakhs, with only 30 lakhs been delivered to the club till date even after at least 60 reminders to the CEO of the I League. The AIFF also owe us Rs. 20 Lakhs as promised for fielding an Under 20 side from the 2008-09 season and also another 10 Lakhs from the 2010-11 Season subsidies. The AIFF have not shown the least courtesy of letting us know when the amount will be cleared.”

“Likewise we would like to know to which body the club has to appeal so that the long pending over dues are cleared at once, which will also facilitate the club to clear the dues to the players as fast as possible. Our representative, Mr. Macario Rodrigues who attended the Players Status Committee meeting of the AIFF has clearly stated in his submission that the club will clear the player’s dues as soon as the AIFF clears the club’s dues.”

Club owner Churchill Alemao said: “Every football club in India runs on the passion of its owners and their will to improve the standards of Indian football. The club owners and officials have nothing to gain from running their clubs in terms of monetary benefits.”

“I have been running this club for over 40 years and have treated all my players and management as one big extended family. Never have we withheld any players salary and at times have gone out of our way to help players who are in need of financial assistance.”

Valanka Alemao added: “Most companies are reluctant to sponsor Indian football clubs as they say it does not offer any ‘mileage’. It is unfortunate that Indian football does not attract big corporate sponsorship, though we did manage to rope in a sponsor last year, there were major problems. NVD Solar left Churchill Brothers high and dry half way through last season, paying us only 20 percent of the promised sponsorship amount. We have already filed a court case against them in order to recover our dues.”

“Nevertheless Churchill Brothers will fulfill its obligations and we shall not fall behind as far as the payments of the two players are concerned. We as clubs are working towards making Indian football and the I League i.e. India’s Premier Football League a better product wherein we need corporates to come and support Indian football to grow and work towards a common vision of watching the Indian national team play in the FIFA World Cup 2026.”

The AIFF Players Status Committee is duty bound to deliver the verdict but they should understand the club have not withheld the payment on purpose and have always treated the players well. It is our utmost concern to pay the two concerned players as soon as possible.

(Churchill Brothers SC Press Release)