All India Football Federation (AIFF) President, Praful Patel lashed out at Aizawl FC for threatening the governing body for football in India. Fresh from winning the 2017 I-League last week, Aizawl FC’s club president Robert Royte threatened to protest and go on a hunger strike if the north-eastern side is excluded from the proposed unified league, which is in the process of taking shape.
"I am very happy they won, I congratulate them. AIFF's future structure is not even decided and you're [Aizawl] issuing threats. We're not here to listen to people who issue threats. We will take all decisions keeping the good of football in mind. Before anything you're jumping the gun, what is the point?" said Patel.
Patel suggested that the reigning champions are in no position to negotiate and believes that Aizawl’s overzealous approach would do more harm than good. Royte had earlier warned that his club would make their disapproval felt throughout the world and not merely in India but Patel advised that the club from Mizoram ought to hold their horses.
“There is no decision yet taken on the future roadmap of Indian football. Only certain proposals have been floated for discussion. Three days back they've won, their letter has not even reached the AIFF. Aizawl have won the I-League and will continue to play in the I-League. If they're going to make threats, nobody is intimidated by that,” he issued a stern comeback.
The president believes that Aizawl ought to be thankful to the AIFF for ushering them into the top tier of Indian football despite being relegated back in 2016. Patel suggested that their approach in dealing with the issue is totally wrong and that he will not bow down to any threats from Aizawl and their fans.
"Aizawl cannot complain, they have won the I-League only because of the AIFF's decision – a relegated team was included in the league. They should be the last people to complain. They were relegated in 2016, it was AIFF that saw their passion and let them play in the I-League as a special dispensation. If we had not supported them, they would not be playing the I-League.”
“Today, nothing is decided. You can only complain if something happens, you cannot complain about a hypothetical situation. If they want to shout, let them shout, we’re not going to be intimidated. AIFF is very transparent and democratic,” he added.
On a positive note, the Indian football team broke into the top 100 for the first time in 21 years. Having amassed a total of 331 points, the Blue Tigers climbed a spot and are now placed 100th alongside Nicaragua, Estonia and Lithuania. Patel was pleased with the national side’s progress but suggested that there is a long way to go for India to be considered a superpower in world football.
“I am very happy that we’ve been able to reach the landmark. While we’re very happy that we have reached the top 100, we will be only happy when we enter the top 50. That is what the mission of Indian football should be, at least in the next five years. We wish we enter the top 10 but that will take time. We will do everything possible, The U17 World Cup is a step in that direction.”
“The whole ecosystem of Indian football has to grow, we’re trying to make progress at every level. I think we must remember that the future of Indian football is on the newer lot [players]. They can be conditioned better. Today, the kind of support the Indian U17 team is getting, they’re getting the best exposure,” he signed off.
