The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is currently in a huge dilemma. As reported by Sports Now earlier, the Indian national team is set to withdraw from the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup due to a clash of dates with their friendly match against Brazil. The ASEAN Cup is scheduled for September 24 to October 3. Meanwhile, the friendly match against Brazil will take place on October 3.

Initially, the AIFF decided to participate in both events, including sending a second-string squad for the ASEAN Cup. But Sports Now can confirm that FIFA has informally informed AIFF that they need to send their main team for the ASEAN Cup.

Meanwhile, it also runs into FIFA regulations. A national team can play a total of four matches in the September-October international window. India will be crossing that limit if they feature in the friendly against Brazil and also the ASEAN Cup.

Sports Now can confirm that if AIFF goes ahead with their ASEAN Cup withdrawal, then the federation will also need to deal with a huge fine. If India withdraws no later than 30 days before the first match of the tournament, then they shall be fined at least ₹ 17.64 lakhs by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

If AIFF withdraws less than 30 days before the first match of the tournament, then it shall be fined at least ₹ 23.52 lakhs.

Speaking to Sports Now, an AIFF insider said, “There is also an advance payment which has been sent to the agency behind the Brazil friendly. We were told that it will be reimbursed. The advance is more than ₹ 10 crore. I heard it’s between ₹ 30-40 crore. We can’t cancel the Brazil game.”

As revealed in an earlier Sports Now report, the AIFF are also planning to confirm a second international friendly after officially confirming their ASEAN Cup withdrawal. There are talks with a team which participated in this year’s FIFA World Cup.

The decision to face Brazil is due to the hype around the match and Kolkata having a strong fan base. Meanwhile, the AIFF are also expecting good returns from the friendly match. According to the insider, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has been pressing for Brazil and will be using it in his campaign ahead of the upcoming AIFF elections.