The hosts’ press conference on Thursday was cancelled, according to local media, because the Kerala Football Association had not paid a mandatory security deposit to the city authorities who own Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where the game against Hong Kong will be held.
Several India national players and the coach were denied entry for the press event, the reports said.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said that, despite the embarrassment, the match on March 31 “will proceed as planned”.
“We have full faith that the formalities will be completed by the Kerala Football Association with the local authorities,” the AIFF said in a statement.
It added that “we are confident that all necessary procedures will be completed within the stipulated timeframe”.
India’s hopes of reaching the Asian Cup next year in Saudi Arabia are already over and the men’s side are a lowly 141 in the Fifa rankings.
The AIFF recently faced criticism after the women’s team were sent undersized kits at the Asian Cup this month, forcing staff to get local jerseys in Australia.
India bowed out in the group stage with three defeats in three games.
They were thrashed 11-0 by eventual champions Japan. (AFP)
Edited by Tony Sabine
