AIFF rejects ISL clubs’ proposal to own the league

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AIFF ISL At its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, the formal proposal to restructure the country's top division by having a club-owned model, with the AIFF retaining its role as a regulator, didn't find many takers. (Credit: ISL)

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has rejected the proposal by the Indian Super League (ISL) franchises to own the competition as a way to end the impasse in the domestic game and get the season up and running.

At its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, the formal proposal to restructure the country’s top division by having a club-owned model, with the AIFF retaining its role as a regulator, didn’t find many takers.

“A proposal regarding the future of the ISL was submitted by 10 clubs and presented at the AGM by Mr. Vinay Chopra, CEO of Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Due to mixed reactions from the assembly regarding the clubs’ request to manage the league in perpetuity, the federation appointed a three-member committee to seek a resolution,” the AIFF said in a statement. The committee will consist of Kerala Football Association President Navas Meeran, Goa state unit chief Caitano Fernandes and Indian Football Association (West Bengal) Secretary Anirban Datta, along with AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan as ex-officio member.

The panel will hold discussions with representatives of five clubs – Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, Delhi Sporting Club, NorthEast United FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant from December 22 to 29.

The proposal put forth by the ISL clubs recommended an annual grant of Rs 10 crore to the AIFF, the right to operate and manage the top-tier league, holding permanent majority shareholding; and conducting the league within 45 days of a formal handover of rights.

However, the provisions were termed ‘unacceptable’ by Executive Committee Members Avijit Paul. Objection letters from Avijit and Valanka Alemao, along with East Bengal FC Director Debabrata Sarkar, were placed on record.

“Their objective is to reach an agreement that adheres to the AIFF Constitution laid out by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” the federation’s statement said,adding that if necessary, it will consult with world governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to review how similar situations in other countries have been dealt with.

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Apart from the ISL proposal, AIFF also addressed one from I-League clubs by forming a three-member committee, which includes Andhra Pradesh Football Association President Kotagiri Sridhar, Mizoram Football Association Secretary Lalrengpuia, and Punjab Football Association Secretary Harjinder Singh, who will work with the AIFF Deputy Secretary General to find a solution.

The crisis in Indian football is getting deeper with every passing day since the federation and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), responsible for conducting the Indian Super League, couldn’t finalise a new agreement to follow the previous one that expired on December 8, resulting in no domestic club football this season so far.

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