Indian national team coach suspended with USD 500 fine

The Indian national football team’s head coach Igor Stimac has been suspended for the next two games with an additional USD 500 fine.

Stimac was flashed a red card during India’s game against Pakistan in their first group stage match at the ongoing SAFF Championship. Following his first red card, the coach faced a second red card at the final group stage match played against Kuwait.

“He committed a serious offense following the incidents of the first group stage match, and had used derogatory language directed at match officials when he was escorted off the pitch,” Anwarul Haq, the General Secretary of SAFF said.

This is also not the first SAFF Championship where Stimac has faced a red card. During the 2021 league-tier of the SAFF games, he was flashed a red card during India’s game against the Maldives. The team was instructed by its assistant coach Sangram Venkatesh in the final match.

While India will be facing off Lebanon in Saturday’s semi-final game, the team is instructed by its Assistant Coach Maheshi Goli, who will continue to instruct the team even if it advances to the final.