I-League 2018-19: Clubs join hands, seek urgent appointment of AIFF President Praful Patel

Ei I-League clubs have jointly written a letter seeking an appointment of All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel to discuss the current scenario of Indian football. According to the clubs, they have joined hands to express their anguish and fear about a plan to kill them.

Aizawl FC, Chennai City FC, Churchill Brothers, Gokulam Kerala, Minerva Punjab FC, Mohun Bagan, NEROCA and Quess East Bengal have jointly urged Patel to meet them urgently to clarify the whole situation. Patel has not responded yet.

According to recent reports and rumours, the Indian Super League might be branded as the top league of the country, which will relegate the I-League into 2nd division or do away with the tournament completely.

Reports also suggest that big clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan will jump their ship in the ISL, leaving the I-League colourless. However, anything concrete has not been said by the federation.

Calling I-League as the “backbone of Indian football,” the club said, “they have been working tirelessly for the development of the sport in our respective regions.” The letter also described the shutdown of I-League as “unfathomable loss” not for the clubs but also for “entire Indian Football Ecosystem.”

The clubs urged Patel to clarify them on three subjects:

a) Merger of I-League and ISL

b) Interference of FSDL in Indian football and

c) report prepared by on the merger between the leagues.

In their letter, the clubs said there should be one league in the country which need to sacrosanct and should be governed by AIFF itself, not by a private company like FSDL. They have also suggested for a “unified league with proper structure for promotion and relegation.”

Many clubs, including Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj alleged the interference of FSDL regarding matter related to Indian football. In their letter, the clubs have raised the issue, which also includes Minerva.

Have to thank @eastbengalfc @Mohun_Bagan @Churchill_Goa @ChennaiCityFC @AizawlFC @NerocaFC @GokulamKeralaFC taking the number of clubs standing together against the unfair treatment @ILeagueOfficial to EIGHT CLUBS 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 #SaveIleagueSaveIndianFootball

— Ranjit Bajaj (@THE_RanjitBajaj) February 18, 2019

Accusing AIFF of appointing eight officials of FSDL in key positions of AIFF last year, the clubs cited “conflict of interest.” According to the letter, the Marketing Partner cannot have their say in matter related to Indian football. The letter has also accused AIFF of unfairly targeting defending champions Minerva Punjab by cancelling the broadcast of their matches.

The clubs also want to see the proposal that is submitted by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) few months ago which states how the merger should be done keeping the interest of every club.