Ranjit Bajaj, the owner of Minerva Punjab FC and Delhi FC, took Indian football by surprise with unthinkable match-fixing, impunity, and systemic corruption charges back in 2024.
The outspoken man, who is also known to have a pursuit of honest football, has repeatedly spoken against authorities, referees, and federations and earned admiration as well as suspensions in the process.
His latest tirade attack was towards the Delhi Senior Premier League, announcing it as “fixed.”It had sparked outrage about Indian football’s integrity, its sponsors, and referees’ honesty.
Organization of Indian Football
Indian football is a pyramid system with levels. At the top is the Indian Super League (ISL), the glitzy professional league with the deep-pocketed sponsors, the foreign players, and TV fans.
Below that is the I-League, India’s traditional top division, now used as a proving ground for newly formed clubs and stars. Then the state leagues, where young aspirants first hone their skills, and grassroots initiatives that introduce new talents to professional academies.
Overall, the sport is regulated at the national level by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), with regulation of league organization, development of new talents, and referee committees.
The Spark: A Row Over a Penalty in the Delhi Senior Premier League
The altercation occurred on January 2, 2024, in a match between Sudeva Delhi FC and Bajaj-owned Delhi FC. Delhi FC was dominating the match until the 94th minute, when a disputed penalty was awarded by the referee to Sudeva, which equalized the match.
Bajaj was outraged by the result and vented on Twitter (X) and posted a video revealing the referees’ names, Aditya Purkayastha, Kuldeep Singh Tariyal, and Rohit Pandey. He accused them of being part of a larger trend of one-sided refereeing.
Ranjit posted:
“This is what ISL referees & ISL linesman do in state leagues & then they are again given ISL matches – there is no accountability or transparency in any league in India – can’t believe how that can be a penalty 94th minute – it’s a huge statement I am making but DELHI SENIOR PREMIER league is fixed & main sponsor is DAFA bet for Delhi football association – no point playing in fixed leagues; it’s actively participating in killing the game – every game in the league has atrocious decisions no one cares”
This is what ISL referees & ISL linesman do in state leagues & then they are again given ISL matches- there is no accountability or transparency in any league in india- can’t believe how that can be a penalty 94 th minute – it’s a huge statement I am making but DELHI SENIOR… pic.twitter.com/IiJVTXYZnB
— Ranjit Bajaj (@THE_RanjitBajaj) January 18, 2024
Calling Out Sponsors and Structures
Most audacious of them all was the claim made by Bajaj of taking credit for claiming sponsorship of the Delhi Football Association’s league by DAFA Bet in the name of standing up for Indian football’s integrity at the grassroots level in good faith.
He argued that when betting organizations sponsor state-level leagues, the match’s integrity is clouded.
He pointed out the broken system in football in India:
- Referees with no accountability.
- State leagues are constantly making poor decisions.
- A lack of transparency in the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
- Betting sponsorships are casting shadows over fair play.
A History of Defying the System
It is not the first time that Bajaj has fought the system. He has, in the past, been a relentless whistleblower in Indian football:
- I-League Reforms: Being an owner of Minerva Punjab FC, Bajaj denounced AIFF’s approach towards the I-League when compared to the Indian Super League (ISL) in public, wanting an equal amount of interest and exposure.
- Youth Development: He has invested immensely in grassroots football through Minerva Academy, which has produced dozens of India U-17 and U-20 footballers.
- Speaks Out against Bans: Despite being suspended and fined by AIFF for his vocal demeanor, Bajaj has never been afraid of speaking out against what he terms a “broken” system.
- Campaign for Transparency: Bajaj has always advocated reforms in refereeing standards, finances in governance, and Indian league structures.
- Allegations of Match-Fixing: On several occasions, he has raised an eyebrow over questionable refereeing and alleged manipulations in state-level leagues.
His blunt style has made him a controversial figure and also a voice of an Indian football reformer that was overdue.
Previous Controversies
That was not the first time Indian football had made news for all the wrong reasons. Indian I-League clubs had been complaining about bias by referees in decisions and accounting irregularities in 2017, but no step was taken against it.
ISL match-fixing scandals were witnessed now and then, with doubt cast over sponsor involvement and league politics.
Often, the media has reported that the players themselves, in off-record meetings, accepted that there are some clubs that receive favor from the referees because of pressure from sponsors or league organizers.
Impact on Fans and Players
The fans and players are highly impacted by the broken football system. League players who win through play become discouraged if games are won unjustifiably.
The public loses faith, games are viewed in decreased numbers, media coverage is lost, and sponsorship value decreases.
Twitter post read:
This is 39-year-old Suraj Mondal playing for Kalighat SLA in today’s #CFL game against Mohun Bagan.
Despite being overweight and out of depth, the midfielder still gets to play due to his close ties with the club management!
Corruption is ruining #IndianFootball again.
This is 39 year-old Suraj Mondal playing for Kalighat SLA in today’s #CFL game against Mohun Bagan.
Despite being overweight and out of depth, the midfielder still gets to play due to his close ties with the club management!
Corruption ruining #IndianFootball again
pic.twitter.com/qyJShc7oQk
— Best of Indian Football (@Moments_ISL) July 3, 2025
Betting, Sponsorship, and Conflicts of Interest
There is yet another cause for concern: greater sponsorship of football leagues by bookmaking firms. Indian football has been taken over by firms like DAFA Bet, and it’s an ethical issue.
Where sponsors do have financial interests in the result, integrity and performance conflict for clubs and players.
“Where bet houses are sponsoring games, the integrity of the result is compromised,” said an industry expert.
The Backlash and The Silence
Sensational charges by Bajaj have produced mixed reactions:
- Fans & Players: The fresh players and fans came to his defense on the internet, going to the extent of posting their outrage at unfair refereeing and inaction.
- Authorities: To date, the Delhi Football Association and AIFF have maintained silence, refraining from commenting on his charges.
- Media Frenzy: His comments, along with news organizations like Republic and Firstpost, again created national outrage against corruption in Indian football.
The deafening silence of the authorities has also led to a far bigger question: Is Indian football being swept under the carpet?
Possible Reforms
Experts and activists demand actual steps to earn back the trust of Indian football:
- Independent refereeing body: Independent of league or sponsor pressures.
- Transparency audits: Club and official regular match and finance audits.
- Segregation of sponsorships and betting: No money-interest group can be a league sponsor.
- Grassroots safeguards: Separation of youth development programs from corrupt practice.
All India Football Federation governance experts say, “A professional refereeing body, independent audits, and strict segregation between sponsorship and betting would restore confidence in Indian football.”
Timeline of Activism of Bajaj
- 2017: Fuming scandal against AIFF I-League administration and refereeing officiation.
- 2018: Minerva Punjab FC I-League win brings focus on youth player development.
- 2024: Delhi Senior Premier League penalty award-gate controversy brings charges of match-fixing.
- 2025: Continued calls for transparency in the league, referee role, and moral administration.
Personal Take
Ranjit Bajaj may not be in authority, but he has never been afraid to raise uncomfortable questions about match-fixing, bans, corruption, and inefficient systems in Indian football. His fight is not for Delhi FC or one penalty; it’s for the sake of a future to make Indian football reliable, respected, and competitive on the global map.
The question now is: will the authorities step in, or will Bajaj’s issues go unheard?
FAQs on Ranjit Bajaj and Match-Fixing Allegations in Indian Football
- Who is Ranjit Bajaj?
Ranjit Bajaj is the owner of Minerva Punjab FC and Delhi FC. He is widely known for speaking out against corruption, match-fixing, and biased refereeing in Indian football. - What did Bajaj allege about Indian football leagues?
Bajaj claims that competitions such as the Delhi Senior Premier League, I-League, and ISL are influenced by match-fixing, poor refereeing decisions, and corruption. He has also raised concerns about betting firms sponsoring leagues, which he believes compromises match integrity. - How has Bajaj acted on these issues?
He has used social media to expose questionable refereeing, filed complaints against football authorities, and consistently called for transparency and independent governance in Indian football—even at the cost of facing bans and suspensions. - How have authorities responded to his allegations?
So far, organizations like the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Delhi Football Association have stayed largely silent or issued non-committal statements, which has fueled further criticism of their transparency. - What reforms does Bajaj want in Indian football?
He has proposed an independent refereeing body, mandatory financial and match audits, separation of sponsorships from betting companies, and stronger protections for grassroots football development.
The post It’s a Huge Statement: But This League Is Fixed”—Ranjit Bajaj’s Battle Against Match-Fixing, Bans, and Indian Football’s Broken System appeared first on JeetWin Blog.
