Pune FC and Bharat FC might not feature in this edition of the I-League as the two clubs could not pass the compulsory club licensing criteria. Churchill Brothers, United Sports Club, and Rangdajied United were three clubs who were relegated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for failing the strict club licensing criteria last year.
Pune FC and Bharat FC failed to please the financial and personal criteria according to the AFC, in the club committee meeting earlier this year. They also missed out on the National Club licensing criteria. The newly qualified Aizawl FC, were handed a one time exemption as they failed to meet the infrastructural and financial criteria.
"Pune FC and Bharat FC are both failing for the first time and can apply for an exemption for a year. But neither club have replied to our communication. We have already sent them the letters but there is no feedback," said I-League CEO Sunando Dhar.
The club licensing criteria says, "Clubs willing to appeal against club licensing decisons should sent them by registered post to the AIFF club licensing department within 7 working days of when the first instance decision was conveyed to the license applicant”.
Reoprts of deciding to shut stop and disband their I-League teams will not be confirmed or denied by Pune based clubs as they have strongly refused to do so.
Pune FC also holds the credit of gettiing passed the club licensing criteria at the first attempt in 2013.
Pune Fc stood 7th in the league table in the last edition of the I league, with 29 points. They managed to put the ball into the net 28 times while they conceeded 32. Their team boasted of foreign players such as the Ivorian Pierre Douhou, Riga Musthapa of Netherlands and Calum Angus of England.
They got promoted to the top flight from I-League 2 in 2008. The club has been a regular member of the I league top division from 2009, and finished second in the 2012-13 season which still stands as their best season. James Moga scored a toatal of 16 goals in the campaign. The Red Lizards also managed to reach the Durand Cup semi finals during the 2011-2012 season.
The Ashok Piramal group owned club will be missed in tis edition of the I-League if the situation remains the same.
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