‘Everyone Has To Be Responsible’: Chhetri Urges Indian Football To End The Blame Game

Former India captain Sunil Chhetri has called for a collective effort to revive Indian football, urging players, coaches, administrators and the media to stop blaming one another for the sport's current struggles.

Indian football has endured a difficult period, with the national team slipping to 138th in the FIFA rankings and uncertainty surrounding the domestic calendar after the Indian Super League was left without a clear continuation following the end of its previous commercial management arrangement.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Football Players' Association of India's Indian Football Awards 2026, Chhetri acknowledged that the situation was far from ideal but insisted that there was reason to remain hopeful.

Chhetri, who retired from international football last year, said India's football journey has experienced several ups and downs over the years and that the present difficulties would take time to overcome.

The 42-year-old also accepted that players must shoulder part of the responsibility for the national team's decline. He pointed to matches that India should have won but failed to do so, saying players cannot distance themselves from the team's performances.

At the same time, Chhetri rejected the idea that one stakeholder could be held solely responsible. He said AIFF officials, players, coaches, clubs and the media all have an important role in rebuilding the sport.

He urged everyone to avoid turning the situation into a blame game and instead focus on asking difficult questions, having honest debates and finding practical solutions.

Chhetri's comments come amid financial pressure on Indian clubs and uncertainty over players' futures. The AIFF has also faced criticism over the domestic football calendar and the absence of a clear long-term roadmap.

India have a demanding international schedule ahead. The national team will face Panama on September 26 in Bengaluru, followed by matches against Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay three days later in Kolkata. India will subsequently tour New Zealand.

Asked about the Brazil fixture, Chhetri maintained that he was no longer involved with the national team and therefore did not want to comment extensively on the current setup.