The applications were initially sent via email, but were soon discarded after being identified as fake. The AIFF has clarified that neither Guardiola nor Xavi had applied for the position as manager of the India national team. Instead, the applications were sent in under their names by pranksters.

A member of the AIFF's technical committee mentioned that hiring Xavi would not be financially viable, but this was not a reason for rejecting the applications. The AIFF's statement said the authenticity of the applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine.