New Delhi: The All India Football Federation’s struggle to finalise its I-League broadcaster deepened after red flags were raised over procedure followed to award the rights, which could jeopardise the competition’s kick-off on November 22.
The federation had sought its executive committee’s nod on Thursday to award the bid to Shrachi Sports Endeavour Pvt. Ltd, the lone party interested to telecast I-League, I-League 2, Indian Women’s League, final round matches of the Santosh Trophy and the senior women’s national championship, for which a tender was floated on October 23, the second one after withdrawal of the first issued on October 1.
The Kolkata-based company were the only party to bid by November 8 and with I-League clubs threatening to pull-out over delay in announcements and failure to fulfill promises, the AIFF sought its executive committee’s approval for a speedy solution.
“The decision has been made to award the bid to M/s Shrachi Sports Endeavour Pvt. Ltd. This information is presented to you for your necessary approval,” AIFF secretary Anilkumar Prabhakaran wrote to its Ex Co members in a letter sent on November 14.
Ex Co member and chairperson of AIFF’s women’s football committee Valanka Alemao questioned the hurried move, seeking answers to “pertinent” queries before giving the go-ahead “to avoid any complications that may arise in future”.
“The procedure of floating tenders and inviting bids appears to have been done in great hurry and without the knowledge of the EC members. That in itself raises several questions. There must be at least two bidders before it is awarded to one of them,” she said in a letter addressed to Anilkumar.
“What were the tender conditions? Where they discussed and approved by the Executive Committee? How can you seek approval from the EC without any prior intimation or information regarding the entire exercise? If there are any issues or glitches in future, the entire EC will be held responsible.”
Botched-up process
Pointing out that the tender was at first floated on October 1, only to be removed and re-floated on Oct 23, Valanka wondered why Ex Co’s approval was being sought after clause 1.2 in the request for proposal (RFP) states that the AIFF shall administer all its obligations solely through its president.
In their letter to the AIFF on Thursday threatening boycott, I-League clubs wrote that they were assured matches would be beamed on Sony Network, which was acknowledged in AIFF’s letter to executive committee members.
On Friday, I-League clubs urged the Ex Co members to intervene on the matter after disclosing that they collectively agreed to fund production costs for at least 50% of matches should Sony come on board as the broadcast partner.
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
Valanka, also the CEO of I-League club Churchill Brothers, pointed out that there is no mention Sony Network on the fresh RFP.
A Shrachi official had informed News9 Sports of their plans to rope in public broadcaster DD Sports, having launched an OTT app SSEN on Friday to show the matches.
“If the broadcast is through Sony Network, why isn’t Sony Network also involved in the RFP? If Sony Network is to broadcast everything, how can we even talk of awarding digital rights, etc. to any other entity? That will be Sony Network’s job,” she wrote.
No mention of fee
Executive committee members have not been informed of the fee Shrachi agreed for the rights or AIFF’s revenue stream from this deal.
“The terms of fee payment to the AIFF has been divided into four instalments of 25 per cent each. But the amounts have not been made known now that the bid has been awarded without the EC knowledge let alone approval,” Valanka said.
“Most importantly, there is no mention of the revenue which will accrue to the participating clubs/teams or even to the AIFF through the award of this bid. I request you to share the approved RFP and not the blank RFP, So that everything is transparent before the EC.”
I-League clubs have also called for a press conference on Saturday to address key issues including broadcasting and production partnership with Sony Network, dubious tender process and misleading communications of the AIFF that are a threat to clubs.
The AIFF is yet to officially speak on the matter but has called an executive committee meeting on Monday in the hope of calming the dissenting voices.
A source within the federation had informed News9 Sports on Thursday that the broadcaster would be announced “in the next couple of days”.
The source said that difficulty of at least five clubs to identify their home grounds also contributed to the delay in announcement.
“Many clubs have not only failed to submit the entry fee of Rs 7 lakh yet, Thursday being its last date. They also haven’t registered the minimum 20 players required. Those who have registered have not submitted supporting documents,” he had said.
The AIFF faces resistance from its Ex Co members to approve the I-League broadcast deal awarded to Shrachi Sports. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
