A section of the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) is likely to strongly oppose the extension of national coach Armando Colaco's contract when the matter comes up for discussion in a crucial executive committee meeting on Thursday.
Armando's four-month contract will expire later this month and though he had expressed his willingness to continue provided the federation wants him, a powerful lobby within the AIFF is against the Goan.
Sources in the AIFF said that the cancellation of India's international friendly against Barbados in the Caribbean tour last month and Dempo's signing of Trinidad and Tobago international Denzil Theobald, who was in the 2006 World Cup squad, have angered a section of the federation top brass.
Sources said that some top officials are under the impression that Armando was doubling up as national coach as well as Dempo scout during the tour of the Caribbean.
It must be noted that Armando, besides coaching Dempo for many years, is also the club's general secretary.
There is a strong possibility of some executive committee members raising the issue tomorrow.
"The matter is going to be raised tomorrow at Exco meeting. It is unethical and involves conflict of interest," an official, who is a member of the committee, said on condition of anonymity.
AIFF general secretary Kushal Das, however, said that it was a matter which has nothing to do with the national team.
"This is news to me. I don't know about Dempo signing a Trinidad and Tobago player. But it is a matter related to Dempo only and not the national team," said Das.
Colaco has had a decent four-month stint as national coach with one win, two draws and three losses in the international matches India had played during the time.