Roger Federer (AFP Photo)

CHENNAI: CCFC's association with Swiss club FC Basel might bring Roger Federer to Chennai after the legend retires from tennis. Basel is Federer's hometown club and the maestro is often seen at Basel's home matches whenever he is in Switzerland.

"Given his immense popularity here, we might plan to bring him to Chennai and present him at the city's stadium once he retires. He knows about the city's tennis culture and that it once used to host the Chennai Open. He is probably not aware that it now has a thriving football culture as well. So if he agrees, we can bring him here," FC Basel's head of youth academy Massimo Ceccaroni told TOI on Sunday.

Speaking further about Federer's association with the club, Ceccaroni said that plans are afoot to have him in Basel's board of directors.

"We all know how involved Federer is with Basel. He is so humble that he always buys a ticket to watch a game. In fact, two years back, we approached him for the president's post but he declined, saying he still has a few years of tennis left in him. Hopefully, we will have him in our board of directors once he retires," he added.

FC Basel have an illustrious history and they have nurtured players like current Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri and Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic . Basel Holding AG had earlier acquired 26 per cent shares in Chennai City FC .

