Today, on the 14th day of May 2014, the AIFF is meeting to discuss a few important issues. One of them is whether to allow any I league side to appoint a head coach or technical director without a valid AFC ‘A’ Certificate. According to sources, AIFF is planning to be strict on this issue and probably it will not relax the rules further. In this scenario, clubs like Mohun Bagan and United Sports will suffer the most. Mohun Bagan has appointed Subhash Bhowmik as their technical director for the upcoming season and Subrata Bhattacharya already holds similar post for United Sports. However, AIFF may refer AFC to save themselves from the ignominy of going into any tussle with its member clubs. So, is there a way out for Mr. Bhowmik or Mr. Bhattacharya? Sportskeeda looks into the AFC Club Licensing guidelines in this regard and tries to find out what are the actual regulations and what might act as a respite for two of the most succesful and experienced coaches of the country.
Snapshot from the AFC Club Licensing Regulations PDF
Under the section, "Personal and Administrative Criteria", it is clearly stated that a licensed applicant (club) can appoint a head coach if the coach holds a "recognition of competence” issued by AFC. A “recognition of competence” is provided by AFC in cases where the Head Coach of the first squad does not meet the required certificate as defined under a) and b) (refer the PDF snapshot) above but has been a head coach at professional level or national team in the last five years preceding his application/appointment as head coach.
Bhombol Da and Bablu Da (Bhowmik and Bhattacharya, as popularly known in the Kolkata football circuit) glaringly satisfy these criteria. Thus, they can indeed, look hopefully to AFC to clear them of this limitation and allow them to serve Indian football at the top level for another year.
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