Raising eyebrows over India coach Igor Stimac consulting an astrologer to choose the beginning 11, former India internationals who’ve turned to teaching mentioned it results in integrity points.
Reacting to The Indian Express report, which revealed that Stimac chosen groups for the Asian Cup qualifiers final 12 months on the recommendation of astrologer Bhupesh Sharma, who was paid lakhs by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), former gamers Gouramangi Singh and Steven Dias mentioned confidential particulars about gamers shouldn’t have been shared with anybody outdoors the crew administration.
Gouramangi, a former India defender, added it was a difficulty of propriety. “More than player selection, the bigger issue is integrity. If the astrologer was given team lists, strategies, and other confidential details then it raises issues of propriety,” he informed The Indian Express.
Last 12 months, for Asian Cup qualifiers, #IndianFootball crew was picked on recommendation of an astrologer.
Before every match, coach Igor Stimac shared gamers’ delivery dates, timings and locations with the astrologer, who was paid RS 12-15 lakh by the AIFF.https://t.co/BykBhPrSio
— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) September 12, 2023
Dias, a former winger who’s presently the coach of the Jamshedpur FC reserves, mentioned there’s no method crew choice ought to rely on anything however participant efficiency and crew technique.
“As a coach, I could never select a team based on astrological advice. I feel it’s not fair to the players. Moreover, sharing probable XI and team strategy with someone outside of the setup is absolutely wrong. You don’t know how that information can be used against you,” he mentioned.
While Gouramangi was essential of sharing crew lists, he mentioned we can’t query a coach’s beliefs. “We cannot impose our judgments regarding what is right and wrong on this issue, especially about someone’s beliefs. I am not aware of the background but if a coach has his personal belief, then we can’t comment on it,” he mentioned.
Both gamers had been part of the Indian crew within the 2011 Asian Cup.
The Indian Express report revealed that Stimac was in fixed contact with the astrologer earlier than each match of the qualifiers, performed final 12 months in June. He sought his recommendation to choose the enjoying 11, shared substitution methods and harm particulars.
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There had been cases the place gamers had been dropped as a result of their stars weren’t beneficial, in accordance with the astrologer.
Dias mentioned that as a participant, he could be very dissatisfied if he bought to know he hadn’t been chosen as a result of an astrologer mentioned so.
“The team management, players, and everyone know how much you have work. They know the capabilities of each player. And players work extremely hard to be a part of the starting XI for every match. If the coach feels you are not up to the mark or decides to exclude you for tactical reasons, it’s fine, but if you come to know you have been excluded because an astrologer said so, then it’s extremely disappointing and demotivating,” he mentioned.