New Delhi: The All India Football Federation has ignored the Asian Football Confederation’s insistence on implementation of relegation in the Indian Super League from 2024-25 season, and is set to willingly deviate from the roadmap created by the continental body in 2019.
In response to the AIFF’s letter dated May 28 for guidance on the matter, the AFC said on June 4 that though it acknowledges “some extraordinary circumstances” that may lead to deviation from the roadmap, yet promotion and relegation is “equally important” for development of Indian football.
“Whilst the increase in the number of Clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL) through the integration of I-League cubs forms a crucial part of the roadmap, we believe the implementation of promotion and relegation is equally important for the overall development of the Indian club footballing landscape,” AFC’s deputy general secretary for competitions and football Shin Man Gil wrote in a letter to AIFF’s deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan.
A copy of the letter is in possession of News9 Sports in which the AFC also asked the AIFF to refer to its letter dated October 16 2019 regarding the roadmap where it is written: “In its recommendation for 2024-25, it is agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation into the top league, and abolition of two parallel leagues.”
The AFC also said that it had faith in the AIFF to find an agreement between all its stakeholders to obtain the objective of the agreement.
“Nonetheless, as this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the AIFF, we trust that your Federation will manage the situation effectively by obtaining the necessary approvals from the relevant competent bodies within the AIFF and reaching an agreement with all stakeholders involved, while continuing to align with the roadmap’s overarching objectives.”
#ILeague clubs has reminded #AIFF chief #KalyanChaubey that there is no “progress” in implementation of relegation in 2024-25 #ISL as per #AFC roadmap, ✍️@SayanMukherjee4#IndianFootball @IndianFootball @ILeague_aiff @theafcdotcom @The_RanjitBajajhttps://t.co/dTaNPdtHnK
— News9 (@News9Tweets) June 29, 2024
The AIFF was also reminded that failure to follow the roadmap could be viewed as inability to meet criteria that allows Indian clubs to compete in AFC’s club tournaments.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you of the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2023), particularly Criterion 4: Organisation of Professional Football. It is essential that the AIFF continues to meet these criteria to maintain the eligibility of its affiliated clubs to participate in the AFC Club Competitions,” Shin Man Gil wrote.
It now seems the AFC’s faith was misplaced as at its executive committee meeting in New Delhi Saturday, the AIFF decided not to start relegation in the top-flight ISL despite awareness of what the AFC had said on June 4.
The issue of relegation in ISL was included in the agenda of the meeting. “President Kalyan Chaubey raised the issue and said we won’t implement relegation. It was agreed without much deliberation,” a person who attended the meeting revealed.
“It was decided that once the AIFF’s constitution is finalised by the Supreme Court and the federation’s agreement with its marketing partners, which expires in December 2025, is finalised, then relegation could begin next season.”
Lawsuit threatened
The ISL began as a closed league in 2014 with eight franchises. It has since accommodated new teams with promotion proper beginning from the 2023-24 season.
Punjab FC being the first team from the second division I-League to get entry in ISL, which is owned and controlled by the federation’s marketing partners FSDL.
Though the AIFF confirmed that two teams would go down from I-League but couldn’t manage to get consensus from all its stakeholders for relegation from ISL, as demanded by I-League clubs, forcing them to threaten a lawsuit in case of failure to begin the process.
I-League clubs had earlier written to AFC pointing out the AIFF’s failure to implement other points of the roadmap, urging the continental governing body to ensure that AIFF’s honours the agreement it had entered into five years earlier.
The AIFF had earlier promised the clubs to address their several grievances in the Ex Co but apart from taking a call on relegation didn’t deliberate on any of their other concerns, which left them disappointed.
The clubs had kept tabs on outcome of the executive committee meeting and would reconvene soon to chart their next course of action.
“I am shocked that the AIFF went ahead and did this. It could jeopardise the representation of Indian clubs at AFC competitions. This forces us with no other option but to approach the top court immediately,” Ranjit Bajaj, president of I-League Clubs Association said.
Despite the AFC’s insistence, AIFF’s decision not to start relegation in ISL could have far-reaching consequences. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
