In an emergency meeting, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) selected nine candidates who will battle for the post of General Secretary, while from 40–odd applicants five more were short-listed for interview for the post of Chief Executive Officer of the I-League on Wednesday.

The list was announced by a sub-committee including  AIFF vice-presidents Subrata Dutta, Ankur Datta, AR Khaleel and treasurer Hardev Jadeja, after they were appointed for the job by Praful Patel, the acting chief of emergency committee,  

AIFF will announce the names of news officials after conclusion of Nehru Cup on 31st August and the interview of all short listed candidates will be conducted around mid-August.

AIFF also appointed the outgoing secretary Alberto Colaco as a mediator to solve dispute between Indian skipper Baichung Bhutia-Mohun Bagan, and a three member committee was employed to  suggest centres for laying down artificial turfs under the 'Win in India with India' programme.

During the short listing of candidates, Colaco opposed selection of Goa Football Association secretary Messias as a candidate for the AIFF general secretary post.

"Colaco was not even supposed to be at the meeting but he was there from the beginning and started giving his opinion," said a committee member.