Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) India striker Sunil Chettri was Wednesday censured by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for his comments on chief coach Bob Houghton, who has been accused of racially abusing a coach last year.

In a statement, AIFF said it has taken strong exception to Chhetri’s remarks on Houghton on social networking site Twitter.

‘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!” Chettri tweeted Tuesday.

AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said action will be taken against Chettri if needed.

“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,” he said.

“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,” Das added.

Chettri was also among the seven players who were warned by the AIFF prior to the AFC Asian Cup for accusing former manager Pradip Chowdhury of creating disharmony in the team.

Houghton has been slapped with a showcause notice by the AIFF for racially abusing Indian referee Dinesh Nair during an international friendly last year.

The Englishman, however, has denied the charges of racial abuse levlled against him.

The other allegations against Houghton are poor performance in the Asian Cup and friendly matches and selection of unfit players without consulting the technical committee, working against the interests of the federation, negligence in using the resources of AIFF (Houghton’s mobile phone bill last July ran up to Rs.190,000 and was Rs.108,000 in August) and utilising AIFF resources for personal purposes. Houghton has also to submit details to the AIFF of Rs.462,000 in expenses incurred by him.

Houghton’s contract runs till 2013 and sacking the Englishman may cost the AIFF a compensation package of $1 million.

AIFF president Praful Patel is also extremely unhappy with Houghton and the federation is trying to get rid of the coach on grounds of racial abuse.