Kolkata, January 16: Three West Bengal Ministers have landed AIFF in hot soup after they violated FIFA regulations by touching the prized World Cup Trophy.
The three ministers Kanti Ganguly, Kshiti Goswami and Pratim Chatterjee were present and violated the FIFa regulations when the trophy was unveiled in Kolkata, dubbed the football capital of the country.
The three West Bengal Ministers allegedly violated the FIFA Rules on Friday when the trophy was unveiled in the City of Joy in front of German football legend and a World Cup winning captain himself Lothar Matthaeus.
The ministers touched the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup trophy, violating federation’s rule. The FIFA rule allows only World Cup winners and head of state to touch the trophy.
Now, as a result, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) might face sanctions for this act, sources said.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) vice-president Subrata Dutta and AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco were also present at the function.
The authentic trophy made of 18-carat gold, was unveiled in a five-star hotel in the presence of former Indian soccer greats and a host of leading soccer organisers of the country.
The trophy – 36.8 cm high tall and weighing 6,175 grams – has a base containing two layers of semi-precious malachite while the bottom side bears the engraved year and name of each FIFA World Cup winner since 1974.
The three-day extravaganza will witness an exclusive showcase of the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
–Agencies