AIFF’s reply to the ISL clubs; Willing to discuss about their consortium proposal
The All India Football Federation Deputy General Secretary, M Satyanarayan, in a reply email sent to FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskar and the CEOs of all the ISL clubs on Wednesday, urged them to become united and find a solution through a mutual understanding between the ISL clubs and the AIFF to get rid of the ongoing stalemate of the Indian Super League this year. The ISL clubs sent an email to the AIFF Deputy General Secretary on 5th November, seeking resolution of the 12 crucial issues. Satyanaraya acknowledged the clubs’ anxiety and said the situation has come to quick conversations and practical steps to solve the crisis, which is deepening gradually. “We assure you that the AIFF will take all necessary steps, strictly in accordance with the Constitution and by following the direction of the Supreme Court, to address the concerns raised by you and the prospective bidders. At the same time, we believe that a comprehensive solution cannot be achieved overnight,” the letter read. The Deputy General Secretary pointed out that some of the 12 points raised by the ISL Clubs carried contradictions or remained stuck in legal proceedings. Yet, he still asked the clubs to move forward together. He argued that Indian Football had benefited from joint investments over the past decade, and therefore, time lost now would only deepen the damage. “We request you to work towards finding a possible solution. It goes without saying that over the last 10–15 years, the marketing partner and clubs have jointly made significant investments and footballs to bring meaningful changes to Indian club football. To safeguard these investments, it is necessary that we work on a war footing to minimize any loss of time. We agree that a long-term solution is needed. However, football must not lose its continuity, and therefore, the league should commence at the earliest,” the letter said. Satyanarayana also emphasized coming to a comprehensive solution before the forthcoming executive committee and the AGM on 20th December. Significantly, the Deputy General Secretary also conveyed the support of AIFF regarding the ISL clubs’ previous proposal to form a consortium and make an agreement with the AIFF to resume the ISL, where the participating clubs themselves will be the owners of the League. Satyanarayan acknowledged Point 12 of the club’s email, which mentioned the consortium idea. His e-mail said, ‘The AIFF was open to exploring that framework, but it requires internal approval and constitutional compliance. The letter also states that any decision must follow due process at the Executive committee meeting and the AGM.
Will ISL resume in a ‘new model’? Three clubs agree before Wednesday’s crucial meeting!
Sudeep Pakrashi: Will ISL resume in a ‘new model’ this year, where the ISL clubs will be the owners of the League? The clubs, participating in the country’s top League, are reportedly encouraged to initiate the resumption of the stagnated Indian Super League this year after a Union Sports Ministry intimation that 14 ISL clubs (Inter Kashi is the new entrant in the League this year) will have to bear expenses to run the League. It is believed, according to the new model, the clubs, after building a consortium to make an agreement with the AIFF, will pay the AIFF-set amount of Rs 37.5 Crores. Then it will the clubs who make profits individually from own initiatives by roping in sponsorships, endorsements and profit-sharing of the broadcasting will be made according to the investments of the clubs. All the club representatives are scheduled to have a discussion in New Delhi on Wednesday. It is believed that among the 14, three like FC Goa, NorthEast United FC and Inter Kashi have already agreed to the ‘new model’. According to sources close to an ISL club, “For example, one ISL club is giving approximately Rs 19 crores to FSDL and in return the club is getting Rs 19 Crores. Additionally, the respective club has to invest a huge amount in the functioning of its football team. Now, in the ‘new model’, if the clubs can give the guaranteed amount of Rs 37.5 Crore to the AIFF, then it will be the clubs who will have sharing of profits from broadcasting according to their investments as all the clubs might not invest the same amount. Addiotionally the clubs can make profits from own initiatives.” He continued, “In this new model, an ISL club has to pay approximately Rs 2.5 Crores to the AIFF, and the respective club can make a profit from its own initiatives, roping in sponsorships. So, this can be an alternative model where ISL clubs can run the League, and the Federation can also be in a safe position.” It is also believed, the I-League will also resume this year in the middle of January.
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.
Union Sports Minister only listens to everybody! FSDL wants to reduce the AIFF-proposed amount
Looking forward to the resumption of the country’s premier football leagues this season, Indian football did not find any ray of hope even after a series of virtual meetings with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday afternoon. The ISL clubs, the I-League clubs, cxountry’s a few leading broadcasters, and the FSDL, commercial partner of the AIFF, put their proposals to the Union Sports Minister accordingly since the afternoon. FSDL also had a separate meeting with the Union Sports Minister. Then, ISL and I-League club representatives had a meeting jointly in the evening with the Sports Minister, where the Joint-Secretary, Union Sports Ministry, the broadcasters, FSDL, and AIFF top brass were also present. It has been learned that no specific time frame has been given to the clubs regarding the resumption of the ISL and I-leagues this season. Union Sports Minister has only assured them of a response, which will be taken shortly, looking forward to the solution of this stalemate. It is also learned that after ISL clubs’ proposal to resume the ISL, bearing their own expenses, I-League club bosses urged the Sports Ministry to bring out a system in running the country’s premier leagues. One of the I-League club bosses revealed on condition of anonymity, “We urged for running of the Leagues systematically or make a merger of the ISL and elite I-League. If that cannot be done then a system must be there where relegation and promotion in the ISL must be applied. Promotion in the ISL has started, but that is also creating confusion. When a club is being promoted to ISL, is the respective club’s capacity to fulfil all financial terms for the ISL being monitored at all? We saw Mohammedan Sporting, that how they failed to pay salaries to their ISL footballers. We saw how they failed to clear the ISL coach’s salary. So, along with relegation, the system of promotion should be transparent.” However, FSDL in their assertion conveyed the message that Indian football does not have the financial value demanded by the AIFF in their initial tender. It meant, the company wants to pressure the AIFF to reduce the amount. One of the leading broadcasters pointed out that Indian football should have a proper structure. The broadcaster cited the example of India’s domestic cricket, which is played nearly six to eight months a year.
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.
