Nicolai Adam's days are numbered say AIFF; Goel says only ministry can appoint or sack

THE SAGA OVER NICOLAI ADAM'S ALLEGATION CONTINUES with another statement from the AIFF saying the coach has been informed that he cannot continue with his duties.

As reported by the Times Of India, a senior AIFF official said,

"We've made that very clear to Nicolai and he understands the seriousness. He cannot continue as coach,"

It is understood that a new coach will be arriving latest by February 15.

The Under 17 players will arrive in Goa on February 1 and train for a fortnight under the watch of the support staff, or outgoing technical director Scott O'Donnell, who is expected to pack his bags for Australia on February 9.

"Whatever happened is unfortunate but we cannot afford to derail the team's preparations. The team will get back on the field on February 1 and may only indulge in some physical training," said the AIFF official.

Assistant coach Etibar Ibrahimov is also expected to be exiting the camp along with Adam, as reports suggest, the players, in their written complaint, have also mentioned Etibar and complained against him. 

Although, there have rumours saying Adam was abusive, slapped players and even thrown a slipper at players, there is not official acceptance or denial by any of the parties involved.

In a twist in the story, Sports Minister Vijay Goel, according to PTI, comes out to make an announcement that sacking Adam is only under power of the Government of India no the AIFF. He clarified about the rumour about Adam's sacking from the position of Under 17 Coach saying,

“There is no update, we sought a report from AIFF and we have received it. We made the appointment on being asked by AIFF. The ministry is paying salary to the coach. So, without ministry’s consent, nobody can remove a coach. The federation has no right to sack the coach,”

Goel, shared about the after-effects should Adam be asked to leave saying,

“We have also to think that if a coach goes, then the incoming person should know the job. We will have to think about the image of our country and decide.” 

Goel continued saying, 

“We will not delay. In case the coach is removed we will appoint another one fast. We will do it in two days.”

First we had, reports that Nicolai Adam has been sacked, to that AIFF denied that the news was not true. Then we get to hear about the written complaint letters by players mentioning the allegations against the Coach and Assistant Coach. AIFF staff unofficially saying Adam's tenure is nearing the end and countering that Vijay Goel says the appointment and removal power lies with the sports ministry not the AIFF. We will have to wait to get confirmation about all these news bits which have kept everyone guessing so far.

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