Indian Super League: Roberto Carlos Plays Down Player Release Controversy

Delhi Dynamos FC coach Roberto Carlos on Thursday sought to play down the controversy surrounding the release of national team players from his Indian Super League side, saying that there was some "misunderstanding" with his team and Indian football authorities. (Delhi Dynamos Defeat Chennaiyin FC)

"These three players (Robin Singh, Francis Fernandez and Sehnaj Singh) are very important players for me. I wanted to play them against FC Goa (on Sunday). We could have bought three tickets to fly them to Dubai and join the national team there," the Brazilian World Cup winner told reporters after Delhi Dynamos beat Chennaiyin FC 1-0 in an ISL match here. (ISL sides give national team a cold shoulder)

"Everything was arranged. But there was a misunderstanding (that led to the controversy). They were also important for the national team."

On the directions of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the national team players in the ISL sides were asked to report to head coach Stephen Constatntine on Sunday evening so that they can board the Monday morning flight to proceed to Turkmenistan for the 2018 World Cup qualifying round match against Turkmenistan at Ashgabat today.

Delhi Dynamos had wanted the three players to join the national team in Dubai where they will be in transit en route to Turkemistan.

Eventually the national team halted at Dubai airport for six hours on Monday waiting for a connecting flight to Turkmenistan.

FIFA rules said that national team players should be released by their clubs four days prior to international matches, inclduing the match day, which happens to be on Thursday.

Carlos, however, said he did not want to dwell on the controversy now and wished Constantine and Indian team well.

"I will do whatever I can to help Constantine."