Kolkata: Chennai City Football Club from Chennai on Saturday became the third franchise to submit bid documents for a direct entry into the forthcoming I League season 2016-17. CFC joined the likes of FC Bardez of Goa and Minnerva Club of Chandigarh. The last date for submitting bids was today. The future of these clubs will be known only when the bid evaluation committee of All India Football Federation (AIFF) sits down with the bid documents on November 23.
Chennai City Football Club is owned by Rohit Ramesh and plays in the First Division of Chennai Football Association League. The club finished at the top position in the league. Recently the club released it’s theme song (Goal-Podu) composed by famous Bollywood music composer Vishal Dadlani and also features Tamil star Kashif.
Confirming the news, I League CEO Sunanda Dhar said, “Yes, we have received the bid documents from Chennai City Football Club. Today was the last date for submission of bid documents. The bid evolution committee of the AIFF will look at the papers submitted and assess whether they have fulfilled the criteria to play in the top tier of I League.”
Earlier FC Bardez and Minnerva Club submitted their bid documents. FC Bardez is coached by five time I League winning coach Armando Colaco.
Another franchise based club Ozone FC from Bengaluru submitted their bid documents but were not allowed due to a reservation from AFC Cup runners up Bengaluru FC.
FC Bardez, coached by Armando Colaco has made a direct entry to Goa Pro League earlier this year. The club is backed by Dubai based stake holders has made rapid strides in Goa Pro League.