Big twist in Xavi’s reported application to coach Indian team, reveals AIFF

NEW DELHI: A dramatic twist has emerged in the reports claiming that Spanish football legend Xavi Hernández had applied for the position of head coach of the Indian national football team. It has now been revealed that the email supposedly sent by Xavi was actually fake and created by a 19-year-old Indian youth. The football federation admitted they were misled by the fake email.

Earlier, the AIFF (All India Football Federation) had claimed that Xavi Hernández had applied for the post of Indian football team head coach but his application was rejected due to financial issues. Reports said that the federation could not afford Xavi’s salary. Indian team director Subrata Paul had stated that Xavi had applied via email. Other applicants for the post included former Indian coach Stephen Constantine, Liverpool legend Harry Kewell, Kibu Vicuña, Eelco Schattorie, Khalid Jamil, Slovakia’s Štefan Tarkovič, and former Blackburn manager Steve Kean. However, Spanish media outlets later dismissed the claim about Xavi’s involvement.

The truth surfaced after a video circulated on social media exposing the email as fake. The hoax originated from a counterfeit email ID created by the 19-year-old, which caused widespread confusion over Xavi’s alleged interest in the role.