The All-India Football Federation has stepped in to make peace between senior selectors and chief coach Stephen Constantine who have been indulging in mudslinging over the national team's recent performance.
The five national selectors, particularly East zone's Prasun Banerjee, have made unflattering remarks about Constantine's method of coaching and the senior side's recent performance under him.
Constantine too has adopted a policy of ignoring the selectors and carrying on with his way of doing things.
Now, as things threaten to turn ugly, the AIFF has stepped in to assuage the feelings of the coach.
The AIFF has asked the selectors to desist from publicly criticising Constantine. The parent body, in a letter to the five selectors, asked them to come to the AIFF with their grievances and observations on the coach and not go public with their views.
The letter, sent on Sunday, has asked the selectors to refer to AIFF secretary Albert Colaco on the matter
It said the selectors should not comment on the way Constantine chooses to run his team in preparation of various tournaments.
The selectors turned vocal in their criticism of Constantine after India's 0-7 loss to Japan in the away match of the world Cup qualifying round and the team's poor show in LG Cup last month.
India play Japan on Wednesday in their home tie in Kolkata, but the hosts are not expected to pull off any surprises.
Another big defeat would mean Constantine will have to face another barrage from the selectors. Only his time the 'blame-storming' could take place behind the closed doors of the AIFF.
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