Baichung Bhutia has urged fans to boycott the highโprofile international friendly between India and Brazil in Kolkata, arguing that spending โน60-70 crore on a 90โminute exhibition clash is wasteful.
Former Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia has requested football fans to boycott the high-profile international friendly fixture between India and Brazil in Kolkata.
He said that spending crores of rupees for a 90-minute exhibition clash would be a misuse of cash when Indian football is going through troubling times and desperately requires financial assistance to develop its grassroots and club-level football.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that five-time World Cup winners Brazil will face India at the VYBK Stadium. India had withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to compete in the friendly, and reports claimed that their visit could cost the organisers INR 60-70 crore.
‘Boycott that Brazil match’
During an appearance on 420 Grams, Baichung urged the fans not to support the game to send a big message to the organisers and the federation.
โBoycott that Brazil match. Then I think that is a big message. Then every organiser, every federation will think twice,โ the former footballer said.
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More from SportsBaichung also requested the Bengal government to invest widely in athletes and sports development rather than spending money on a single exhibition football match.
“If the Bengal government is going to pay or try and raise [money] for this match, please raise it for Bengal to have the next few gold medals in the Commonwealth Games. So when you have Rs 30 crore, please invest it in the next four years to have 10 medals in the Commonwealth Games.
“We are trying to bring the Olympics here. Try and have Olympians from Bengal winning medals there. Or, with the Rs 30 crore, make 100 futsal grounds โ seven-a-side futsal grounds. You can have 100 grounds in different [areas]. Use it, utilise it properly. Don’t waste it for one 90-minute [match] and think the money is gone,” Baichung added.
Bhutia says fixture will only generate short-term excitement
Baichung further warned that while the international friendly may generate short-term excitement among fans, media and the government, the financial outlay is wasteful if it does not contribute towards long-term growth.
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โIf the match happens, everybody is excited, fans come in, you know, media, the government, everybody will be happy. But once the match happens, your money is gone, and your football is 20 years behind,โ he added.
The India-Brazil international football friendly will take place on October 3, 2026, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.