EXCLUSIVE: Sunil Chhetri breaks silence on FIFA's threat to AIFF, says 'I've told the boys...'

India's football king Sunil Chhetri has finally broken his silence on FIFA's threat of suspension on Indian football. The 40-year-old India football team captain has advised his fellow players to not pay too much attention to FIFA's threat as he opines there is nothing in their hands. Earlier, the world football governing body threatened AIFF on its right to host the Women's U-17 World Cup in October later this year. (FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar date changed due to THIS reason, all details HERE)

The reason was a third-party "influence". Interestingly, the warning came just days after the Supreme Court ordered a hold on elections of the AIFF. SC then appointed a Committee of Administrators (COA) and have started the electoral process. The elections are now set to take place on August 28. (AIFF Players of the year awards 2021-22: Sunil Chhetri, Manisha Kalyan, and more win - In Pics)

"I've spoken to the boys and my advice is to not give it too much attention because it is out of our control," said Sunil Chhetri in a virtual press conference to a group of journalists.

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Sunil Chhetri always has his eyes on the W. Yes, even in training. #WeAreBFC pic.twitter.com/qBBfyGFVBp — Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) August 14, 2022

"People who are involved are doing their best to make sure that we are going to come out with the best results possible. Everyone is working hard towards it. As far as players are concerned we are going to make sure that we do our work properly. We have to make sure you better yourself as a player. Whenever you get an opportunity to represent your club or your country, put your best foot forward. All other verticals in the AIFF are trying to fix as much as possible to make sure that they come out with flying colours," he said.

India is to host the FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup in Goa, Bhubaneswar and Mumbai from October 11 to 30. 

Talking about Chhetri's club football, Bengaluru FC are set to take on Jamshedpur FC on August 16 as the Durand Cup kicks off on August 15. Bengaluru FC are a club with tons of silverware since coming into existence in 2013 and a Durand Cup trophy is missing from their cabinet. They will be keen on getting their hands on the trophy as Chhetri also deemed the tournament "very, very special" to him.

"It's very, very special. It is one of the oldest tournaments which in itself is very big. But more so for me. As a club we have not won and individually I've not won the Durand Cup. I've been fortunate to win a lot of tournaments, almost all the tournaments that one can in India, and the Durand Cup is missing," said Chhetri for the Durand Cup.