Kolkata: Just a day before the meeting with the representatives of the parent body of world football FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Kolkata, the Indian Football Association (IFA) Secretary Utpal Ganguly said their main agenda would be to see the interest of the Kolkata giants when one league is conducted.
“When you are thinking of having one league. You cannot do that without including lifeline clubs of India,” Ganguly told reporters here on Tuesday.
“We need to convince them (FIFA and AFC officials) that why the top league of the country cannot run without these clubs (East Bengal and Mohun Bagan),” he added.
“I said heritage clubs should not be kept in the same bracket as franchise clubs. As they have taken the sport to a certain level where sponspors started coming, they should be given that respect,” Ganguli said.
“I said they should be invited and not asked for franchise fee when there is one league in the country,” he added.
The delegates from FIFA and AFC have visited the City of Joy to chart a roadmap for Indian football. The nation is currently have two leagues at the moment, I-League and the Indian Premier League and both the leagues will run simultaneously this season.
“We had a long meeting. They heard us out. They will do market research and will make a draft after that based on the research. They will then most likely meet all stakeholders and submit a report to the AIFF (All Indian Football Federation) executive committee after that,” Ganguly.
According to the IFA secretary, if any suitable solution don’t come out, they will continue their protest.
“I hope the decision will be in our favour but if otherwise we will take necessary steps. They (FIFA and AFC officials) recognised the issue. They have not said anything specific though,” Ganguly said.
The delegates from FIFA and AFC will talk to IFA, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting club officials to discuss the matter of how there can be only one league in the nation from next season.
A two-member team comprising of Nic Coward, a consultant to FIFA, and Alex Phillips, Head of AFC-UEFA Affairs, is expected to meet the stakeholders of Indian football this month.
Beside the Kolkata giants the delegates would also meet the clubs from the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League second division too. The dignitaries are expected to travel to Delhi, Chennai, Goa, Mumbai, Guwahati for that.