AIFF Set To Make ISL The Top League, I-League Clubs Threaten To Appeal in Court

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is all set to declare ISL as the top football league in this country. Although seven I-League clubs have promised to take legal action by appealing to court if AIFF officially announces so. The syndicate of seven clubs are namely – Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Churchill Brothers, Aizawl FC, Minerva Punjab, Gokulam FC and NEROCA FC. They met in New Delhi to discuss the issue.

It seems like the Executive committee of AIFF will meet on 3rd July to announce ISL as the top league, which will cause huge damages to I-League and leave an uncertain future. According to sources, AIFF is contract bound to make ISL the most “prestigious and senior” league of India as per the 2010 Master Rights Agreement with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).

There are no immediate plans to demote I-League in the second division and there might be a continental slot for the Champions.

AIFF has also considered imposing fines on several I-League clubs for not participating in the Super Cup. A fine of Rs. 10 Lakhs was initially sanctioned for five clubs and half of that amount for East Bengal. Then the fine was revised to 27.5 Lakhs. However, the AIFF Appeals Committee are yet to take a call on what to do next.