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I-League clubs meet Praful Patel to raise concerns over their future

I-league clubs meet to raise concern over their future

The tussle between the AIFF and the I-league clubs has been going on for a long time now. The conflict started back in 2016 with three Goan clubs Dempo, Salgaocar and Sporting Club de Goa pulling out of the league, raising concerns over their future. Following the AFC approving the ISL in 2017 and the Star cutting off I League coverage in 2018, further doubts were raised over AIFF’s step-motherly treatment towards the league clubs. With no response from the AIFF, as a mark of protest, seven I-league clubs pulled out of the Super Cup 2019. The AIFF further responded by first imposing a fine of ₹10 lakhs and later increasing it to ₹27 lakhs on each I-league clubs.

Making matters worse the unified I-league clubs threatened to move to court for appropriate relief if AIFF doesn't meet their demands or at least sit for a meeting. Finally on 3rd July, after delaying over several months, the AIFF President Praful Patel sat in a meeting with the club representatives to hear their concerns and provide a possible solution. It was decided that both the leagues will co-exist for another three years and by that time the AIFF will look to come up with a solution for a sustainable future for all the teams.

The I-league clubs have however raised no objection to be playing in the lower tier league provided they see a sustainable future in three years.