The All India Football Federation denied reports that it requested the Asian Football Confederation to find a replacement for national coach Stephen Constantine following India's dismal performance in the World Cup qualifying matches.
"No such request has been made [to the AFC]," AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco said from Margao, Goa on Monday.
He was reacting to reports that the Federation approached the Asian body to find a replacement for Constantine following India's humiliating defeats against Japan and Oman in the Asian Group III World Cup qualifiers.
Colaco also said the Indian team for the Asian Youth Championship, in Malaysia later this month, will be named before Saturday.
"The players are attending a camp, at SAI Kolkata, which began yesterday. The team will be announced around September 18," he said.
India got an invitation to take part in the tournament after Turkmenistan pulled out and Kyrgystan turned down a late invitation.
India, who will play in Group C alongside Uzbekistan, Syria and Laos, will kick-off their campaign against Syria on September 26.
Talking about the progress made on the construction of the AIFF's headquarters, 'Football House', in Delhi, Colaco said "it is likely to be completed in 10 months time from now".
The foundation stone of Football House, was laid by Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in January.
Looking forward to the new season, Colaco said the Federation's new calendar will be out next month.
"The calendar for 2005 and 2006 will be announced by the end of October," he said, adding that the AIFF is giving finishing touches to its web site.
"The web site www.aiffonline is on trial. We have been given a lot of suggestions and we are incorporating some changes.
"We are trying to launch the site before the Santosh Trophy. Otherwise, it will be launched in mid-November," he said.
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