Xavi Never Applied: AIFF Duped by Fake Email From 19-Year-Old, Say Reports
In a stunning turn of events, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) finds itself at the center of a bizarre controversy involving Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.
Earlier this month, AIFF officials told the Times of India that Xavi had formally applied for the vacant head coach role of the Indian national team. The federation claimed the application was ultimately rejected due to financial constraints, citing his high salary expectations.
But now, explosive revelations from top European football journalists contradict AIFF’s claims entirely.
According to Fabrizio Romano, one of the most trusted names in global football journalism, “Zero talks took place between Xavi Hernandez and the Indian Federation.” Renowned Spanish journalist Ferran Correas echoed the sentiment, stating through Barca Times that people close to Xavi were “shocked” by the claims and insist he never applied. Correas even suggested the AIFF may have intentionally used Xavi’s name to boost the job’s visibility.
The story took a more scandalous turn when reports emerged that a 19-year-old had created a fake email address — xaviofficialfcb@gmail.com — and sent a bogus application to the AIFF. A video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) appears to show this email as part of the prank.
Despite these claims, AIFF’s National Team Director, Subrata Paul, was quoted by TOI saying, “Yes, Xavi’s name was there. The application was emailed to the AIFF.” However, the email’s authenticity was not verified independently by several outlets, including the Hindustan Times.
The incident comes amid AIFF’s ongoing search for a new national team head coach following the departure of Spaniard Manolo Marquez. Other applicants reportedly include Stephen Constantine, Harry Kewell, Steve Kean, Kibu Vicuna, and Khalid Jamil.
While the search continues, the federation faces serious questions over its credibility, due diligence, and internal vetting process. Whether this was an innocent mistake or an intentional media play, the embarrassment is undeniable — and the football world is watching.
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