Under-pressure ISL clubs seek urgent action from AIFF, fearing loss of their major source of income!
The Indian Super League clubs, except East Bengal, have appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for an amendment to its new constitution before a new tender can be floated for the top-tier competition, which is currently undergoing considerable uncertainty. With only three days left before the expiry of the AIFF’s 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with Reliance-subsidiary FSDL on 8th December, the ISL clubs, frightened by the situation of losing their key source of income, have appealed to the AIFF seeking urgent action to find a solution. FSDL’s profits since ISL was introduced in 2014 have helped most of the clubs to make a financial gain. But now, the failed tender process initiated by the Federation has reportedly disappointed the commercial partner. They have already expressed unwillingness to accept the contractual obligations set by the Federation through the issued tender. As a aftermath, salaries have been stopped, and operations have been suspended temporarily. Despite the Union Sports Minister ‘s assurance for the league’s resumption, clubs fear that they are in an unsustainable situation and would have to take extreme steps should AIFF not inform the Supreme Court to bring out a remedy on or before 8th December. Clubs have urged AIFF to approach the Union Sports Ministry seeking support towards an interim application that could be filed by 8th December, also drawing attention to the bid-evaluation report made by Justice L.N. Rao and KPMG’s observations that pointed to “constitutional and commercial constraints” over ownership, operational control, overall costs, and promotion and relegation in the tender document for no bids. The clubs signed the letter where it has been written, ‘Should the revised tender not result in a suitable commercial partner, we respectfully request that the AIFF consider a framework under which the ISL Clubs may collectively form a consortium to own/operate the league (as majority owners), alongside the Federation and aligned commercial/broadcast/private investors. Such an approach is consistent with global best practices and reflective of the long-term commitment of the Clubs to Indian football.’ East Bengal was one of the two clubs that did not want to take responsibility to conduct the League this edition. The other club that supported East Bengal on the issue was Mohammedan Sporting. “The AIFF shall also put in all possible effort as per our AIFF Constitution to ensure ISL gets a long-term sustainable model for growth and development of Indian football,” Federation secretary M. Satyanarayan has sent the reply mail to the clubs, it is learned.
Ahead of another final, Muller shows respect to Messi
Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps step into an unprecedented Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final on Saturday, each chasing its first Philip F. Anschutz trophy in a spectacle fuelled by the renewed rivalry between Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller. Ahead of the final, Muller had respect in his words for Messi as he stated, “This is a final I wanted. The good thing is not only playing against the best player who has ever played our sport and who continues to do so, but I think when you have a match like this, more people see you.” The 36-year-old striker continued, “Perhaps they rely on him a little more than this team relies on me.” “If you play with these great players and names, then it’s a little more exciting for more people around the world. It’s a perfect situation for everyone involved,” added German legend. With ticket prices at record highs, the free global broadcast will reach more than 100 countries, while the MLS is rolling out its most ambitious production yet for a final featuring two of Europe’s stars. At 38, Messi produced the season Inter Miami had hoped for when it brought the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to Florida, with him steering the club to its first MLS Cup final and setting an all-time assist record of 405 along the way. The Argentine captain had 29 goals and 19 assists in the regular campaign, plus six goals and seven assists in the postseason. Longtime Bayern Munich talisman Muller, who arrived in Vancouver in August, was instrumental in driving the campaign of the CONCACAF Champions Cup runner-up, delivering seven goals and three assists across seven regular-season matches. The head-to-head between the two veterans tilts the contest in favour of the German, with him winning seven of their 10 meetings, including two Bayern thrashings of Barcelona in the Champions League in 2013 and 2020, as well as Argentina’s painful defeat in the 2014 World Cup final. As Muller suggested, the match-up’s profile has lifted the entire event, driving record demand and the most ambitious broadcast MLS has ever assembled.
