Convincing FSDL in Wednesday’s meeting is crucial; Will AIFF make financial gain with Union Sports Ministry’s back-up for the resumption of top league?
A section of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive committee members seems to be curious about Wednesday’s all-important meeting between the Union Sports Minister and FSDL. The AIFF’s former commercial partner and the organizer of the ISL seem reluctant to continue with the Federation’s existing administration, which is scheduled to continue till August-September next year. Even the company has reportedly refused to make discussions over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) accepting the financial terms and conditions set by AIFF. Amidst the situation where ISL and the I-League are also going through a stalemate, a section of the AIFF executive committee seems to be waiting for the Union Sports Minister’s initiative to convince FSDL about continuing with the AIFF. One of the executive committee members, when asked about the issue, revealed on condition of anonymity, “FSDL is reluctant to continue. I feel they can change their decision only if the Union Sports Minister can convince them. If FSDL continues, even if preserving their terms and conditions, then AIFF will also have some money after the end of the ISL. But if FSDL sticks to its reluctance, then the top-tier League might also happen with the support of the Union sports ministry.” The section of the executive committee has a gut feeling that the Union Sports Ministry can ask Doordarshan to beam the top leagues live, and even ask the respective ISL-playing states to make the matches happen. “Following the Union Sports Ministry’s instruction, respective state governments can also offer some financial grants to the respective state football associations for the participating clubs. But what will AIFF gain even if the country’s top-tier football league is organized in this way? The central government is unlikely to offer any such amount to the AIFF!” stated another executive committee member on condition of anonymity. Significantly, the AIFF has not yet made an official announcement of the two relegated teams in the I-League last season. Both SC Bengaluru and Delhi FC appealed to the AIFF’s appeal committee, which has been pending for months at the AIFF disciplinary committee. It is learned that the Federation’s top brass has decided to introduce a new disciplinary committee, which is likely to have a fresh hearing on the relegation issue on 13th December. Additionally, complaints from a couple of state associations have been filed with AIFF for allowing Sudeva FC to participate in the Second Division I-League despite the fact that the Delhi-based team did not play in the League for the last year. The Union sports ministry will have meeting with all the ISL clubs, I-League clubs and the stakeholders in Indian football also separately in Wednesday’s meeting.
