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What’s the story?
The I-League is yet to kick off, and East Bengal already seem to have gotten one over arch-rivals Mohun Bagan.
The All Indian Football Federation (AIFF), on Friday, announced the list of clubs that have gotten the national license to participate in tournaments hosted by the federation. While a total number of eight clubs had applied for the national license, only three teams got it – East Bengal, Bengaluru FC and Shillong Lajong.
The biggest club to have missed out on the license is Mohun Bagan.
In case you didn’t know…
The AIFF license is something that is required for the clubs to play in the tournaments that have been arranged by the federation. These licenses are given based on a number of criteria, which the Indian clubs have to follow.
Aizwal FC, Mohun Bagan FC, Kingfisher East Bengal FC, JSW Bengaluru FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Churchill Brothers SC, Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC had all applied for the license.
Heart of the matter
Despite the fact that a number of clubs have missed out on the national license, they will be allowed to play in the upcoming I-League, which gets underway on Saturday.
However, the clubs that have not been given the license would have to pay a fine to the AIFF, in order for their participation to be sanctioned, a source within the federation confirmed to Sportskeeda.
What’s next?
This news comes just a day ahead of the opening day of the I-League, as Mohun Bagan travel to Ludhiana to face off against Minerva Punjab. However, the source confirmed that this decision by the AIFF will not affect tomorrow’s match between the two clubs.
“It’s not as though the match between Minerva and Mohun Bagan will be called off. They just have to pay a fine, as they have not gotten their licenses,” assured the AIFF source.
Author’s take
Just three of the clubs getting the I-League license is something that could point at a serious issue with the clubs that are playing in the I-League. More so, a historic club like Mohun Bagan missing out on something like this could see their reputation being damaged.
