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The common decision to not release players or sign anyone who is contracted to play in IMG Reliance’s new tournament by the IPFCA (I-League Professional Football Clubs’ Association) has exhibited the solidarity of the organisation and given a reminder to AIFF and their commercial partners IMG-R that the unity among I-League clubs is stronger than ever.
The unity is beyond their stance of unanimously opposing the IPL-style tournament because they are also united against the change of format in the I-League and the clubs are also close to agreeing the start of transfer fees, something which was non-existent in Indian football previously and created tensions among club officials.
“There was a time when many major clubs were not talking but now we discuss with each other and that is why the formation of IPFCA has been a big boost for the I-League. We have come to an agreement that we are only enemies for 90 minutes but beyond that we will be together,” IPFCA president and Salgaocar general secretary Raj Gomes told Sportskeeda.
Recently, Dempo and Salgaocar had officially revealed their mutual agreement of not poaching each other’s players but Gomes stated that it would soon be applicable for all I-League clubs. He further revealed that the IPFCA are discussing on having a cap on budgets and even stop the possibility of one coach taking charge of two different I-League clubs in the same season.
“Dempo was a start, now all I-League clubs are open to having such an understanding regarding players and we are discussing transfer fees also. We are also looking to having a clause that once a coach leaves a club during the middle of the season, he cannot join another I-League team.
“All the clubs are trying to come together and have a cap on the budget. I think it could come into effect from the 2014-15 season. Once that budget cap becomes functional maybe then we can discuss about players’ salary cap,” he opined.
The unity among I-League clubs now is stronger than ever
Due to the strong rapport that the clubs are currently enjoying, Gomes is optimistic about a positive response from AIFF and IMG-R regarding the IPFCA’s wish to make the I-League a separate legal entity, and believes the entry of new teams JSW and Mumbai Tigers will benefit the league overall.
“We are hopeful that there will be an impact and something positive will come out from AIFF and IMG-R. The entry of the new clubs is good for the promotion of football,” Gomes added.
Looking back at the 2012-13 season, in which Salgaocar finished seventh in the I-League, Gomes admitted that the sudden departure of Karim Bencherifa created problems for his club.
“We had problems with the coach (Karim Bencherifa) leaving in the middle of the season because we had made the team and signed the foreigners after taking the inputs from him. However once we brought in a new coach (David Booth) and changed the foreigners our results in the I-League improved. We also capped off the season on a happy note as we won the Goa League title,” he reflected.
Derrick Pereira’s homecoming
Derrick Pereira had a successful playing career at Salgaocar
Club legend Derrick Pereira has been appointed the new Salgaocar head coach and Gomes claimed that the former Vasco, Mahindra United and Pune FC tactician was always their permanent choice.
“David Booth was the interim coach and not our permanent option. Derrick was on our radar for some time as he has always been successful right from the time when he started at Vasco. We wanted him to be our permanent head coach but Derrick being a man of his principles, he first had to fulfill his commitments at Pune FC. Now that he is our coach, we are hopeful of a successful new era under him and hope to finish as high as possible next season,” Gomes said.
He also talked about the improvement in the infrastructure of Goan football but confirmed that for now, only Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao remains fit to host AFC Cup matches.
“The present chief minister of Goa is passionate about sports and very supportive towards football. Nehru Stadium will become world class (following the Lusophonia Games) and now we have Tilak Maidan as well and soon it will also become a complete I-League venue.
“But we had the AFC inspection recently and were informed that the Tilak Maidan and Duler Stadium are still not ready yet to meet the criteria for AFC Cup matches. However that shouldn’t be a problem as the Nehru Stadium will be in great shape by then,” he concluded.
