Sudeep Pakrashi:
Churchill Brothers will not play in the I-League this season, says the club’s founder and president, Churchill Alemao. When asked about their preparation for the I-League this season, Alemao told Parallel Sports, No, we will not play in the I-League. Why should we play? We are already the I-League champions. Our team is now playing in the Goa Professional League. We are busy with that.”
When asked whether the club has been asked to make a debut in the ISL this season, Alemao commented, “We have not yet received any such intimation. So, if we get the intimation, then we can take part. But to date, we have not made any preparation for the ISL.”
Odisha FC had given two days to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) about the team’s confirmation in the ISL this season. It is believed that the AIFF has selected the Goan team for the ISL if Odisha FC finally pulls out of the League.
But at the same time, the reality shows a different scenario, in which not only Odisha FC, but six more clubs have not yet confirmed their team’s participation in the country’s top-tier league. They have adopted a delaying tactic by raising three fresh queries. Those are the relaxation of the participation fee, confirmation of the promotion-relegation issue, and the cost of respective stadiums while staging the home matches.
