New Delhi: I-League clubs on Saturday alleged that the All India Football Federation plans to make them redundant by reshaping the game’s structure in the country with the introduction of franchise-based flagship leagues in 12 states.
Similar to the recently-held Super League Kerala, these franchise state leagues will have six teams slowly expanded into 10 teams by 2030. These leagues will end by December and culminate into the I-League/ISL2 qualifier in January.
This plan was unveiled during AIFF’s three-day conclave that culminated on Thursday. The flagship franchise leagues will be launched to strengthen state league structure and aid marketing.
The existing state leagues, where the AIFF had earlier barred overseas players, would be at the base of the structure with the new flagship franchise state leagues being above them, forming the third tier of the pyramid.
Above them would be the 16-team national league, over which will preside the Indian Super League. The ISL, I-League 2 and 3 to be slowly consolidated in to an expanded 2/3 tier national league system.
“The AIFF wants to phase out the I-League clubs gradually. They want us to die a natural death to bring in this new midel of commercialisation. They are trying to kill the traditional Indian football structure through a franchise-based model,” Ranjit Bajaj, owner of Delhi FC and president of I-League Clubs Association said in a virtual media interaction.
It is the reason behind the AIFF verbally assuring them of roping in Sony Network as broadcaster for the I-League though they have given the contract to Shrachi Sports, officials of the 12 I-League clubs said.
The countdown begins! ⏳
I-League 2024-25 fixtures are out, and it’s time to gear up for non-stop football action! 💥
For more details⬇️https://t.co/n8qlBmMzr1#IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/aX624WHCQ8
— I-League (@ILeague_aiff) October 24, 2024
Broadcast deal logjam
The AIFF has sought its executive committee’s approval to conclude the deal with Shrachi Sports, who plan to live stream matches through a new OTT app and broadcast it through DD Sports.
But several Ex Co members have questioned the manner in which the bidding process was conducted, where a tender was first floated on October 1 and subsequently cancelled only for Shrachi becoming the lone interested part when it was re-floated on Oct 23.
Some executive committee members claim to be in the dark over critical terms and conditions of the deal including fee to show, I-League, I-League 2, Indian Women’s League, final rounds of the Santosh Trophy and women’s national championship.
The AIFF hopes to persuade all Ex Co members in a meeting on Monday, the outcome of which could determine whether the I-League will start on November 22.
Federation’s secretary Anilkumar Prabhakaran was Kerala Football Association’s secretary before moving to Delhi. It was under his guidance the inaugural Super League Kerala was first conceptualised before being staged between September 7 and November 10.
He wasn’t willing to immediately comment on I-League club’s allegations as the proposal is only at a nascent stage. AIFF sources said the matter is still being discussed and no concrete steps have been taken so far.
The governing body is perturbed about the most I-League club’s lack of infrastructure, which has contributed to delay in commencement of the competition that was originally scheduled to begin on October 19.
“The I-League is AIFF’s most expensive tournament, costing Rs 18 crore to organise it. But the manner in which some clubs have come unprepared, including failure to pay entry fee (Rs 7 lakh) and unwillingness to register the minimum 20 players, it seems they are more than happy to see it get closed,” an AIFF source told News9 Sports.
“Even after so many shortcomings, they want subsidy (Rs 35 lakh). They should first concentrate on getting their act together rather than trying to deflect attention by pointing fingers at the AIFF.”
I-League clubs claimed the AIFF wants to launch franchise based leagues in 12 states on the lines of the Kerala Super League in order to phase out them out gradually Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
