In response to increasing concerns over poor refereeing decisions impacting clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey chaired a virtual ‘Refereeing Review Meeting.’ The meeting, held on December 31, 2023, aimed to address the ongoing challenges and errors in the country’s top football leagues.
Call for Urgent Accountability
Mr. Chaubey expressed the urgent need for accountability within the Referee Department, urging officials to address the continuous errors adversely affecting the fairness of matches in the ISL and I-League. The mid-season ‘Refereeing Review Meeting’ lasted over four hours and was attended by key figures, including Acting Secretary General Mr. M Satyanarayan, Treasurer Mr. Kipa Ajay, and various committee members. The meeting included discussions with Chairman of the Competition Committee, Chairman of the League Committee, and Chairman of the State Development Committee, among others.
A total of 24 controversial Key Match Incidents (KMI) from seven ISL and four I-League games were presented for discussion. Mr. Chaubey acknowledged the increasing concerns and complaints from clubs, emphasizing the impact of ‘plain-sight errors’ on the acceptability of refereeing standards.
While recognizing the competitive growth of football in India, Chaubey highlighted AIFF’s parallel efforts in developing referees. The Elite Development Referee Programme, initiated in January 2023, has absorbed the Elite Referee Panel into full-time AIFF payrolls. Additional training and refreshment courses, in collaboration with FIFA, PGMOL, and FSDL, have been conducted to enhance the skills of referees.
Appeal for Minimizing Mistakes
Chaubey emphasized the need for officials and administrators to work collaboratively in minimizing mistakes. He challenged the notion of hiding behind the ‘acceptable 15% human error norm’ and urged a more empathetic perspective, considering the emotional and financial investments of fans and clubs.
The AIFF President called for a balance between the independence of referee functioning and following international examples of rewards and consequences. He cited specific instances where clubs suffered due to refereeing decisions, stressing the importance of fairness and consistency.
Chaubey acknowledged the commitment of the AIFF to football development, highlighting the shift to a 12-month packed football calendar. He reiterated the responsibility of serving the sport and ensuring a fair and consistent environment for players, clubs, and fans.
