AIFF Breaks Silence On Women's Asian Cup Kit Problem: 'That Wasn't Highlighted In...'

Last Updated:March 15, 2026, 13:35 IST

AIFF's M Satyanarayan addresses criticism over women's team kit problem during AFC Asia Cup. Despite the setback, replacements were sent within seven hours.

All India Football Federation’s deputy secretary-general M Satyanarayan has said that even though the board received massive criticism for an issue with the women’s team’s kit during the AFC Asia Cup, no one highlighted how the replacements were sent within seven hours.

The team bowed out of the tournament after losing all three Group C games, ending its campaign with a 3-1 loss to Chinese Taipei in Sydney on Tuesday.

Despite the disappointing results, though, the team showed fighting spirit in their final game and in the opener against Vietnam.

“The AIFF copped flak after the kit that was initially sent to the women’s team for the AFC Asian Cup in Australia had problems. We replaced it with a top-quality kit within seven hours, but that was not highlighted in the media," Satyanarayan said while speaking to RevSportz.

The controversy erupted just 48 hours before India’s tournament opener, when it emerged that jerseys sent by the AIFF had been made for age-group teams and didn’t fit at least 80% of the 26-member senior team.

Senior players wrote to the federation requesting properly sized kits, according to reports, forcing the team to source replacements. The AIFF procured 55 jerseys in two sets from an Italian company that had stock available in Perth.

Satyanarayan had earlier said that the AIFF has asked its integrity officer to hold a thorough investigation into the controversy surrounding the players’ kits that surfaced just 48 hours before India’s opening game Down Under.

“The moment the issue was brought to my notice, we acted immediately. Within six hours, we arranged new kits that met the best global standards to ensure the players had what they needed," Satyanarayan had told PTI. 

“At the same time, I have asked our integrity officer, who is a retired CBI officer, to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and submit a detailed report. Once the report is received, we will review the findings and communicate further if required," Satyanarayan added.

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