XtraTime Web Desk: The clouds surrounding the I-League is all set to get cleared as the honourable President of the All India Football Federation Mr Praful Patel has stated that the parent body of Indian football would like the existing status of the country’s domestic football league structure to remain the same for another two or three more years.
Though in the meeting he added that he would seek approval from the Asian Football Confederation for the new mechanism.
The honourable met the representatives of I-League clubs to talk about the roadmap of Indian football after several months of uncertainty regarding the status of I-League as India’s top-tier league.
After the meeting, Patel said, “Tomorrow (in the future), we don’t want to pack up the I-League. It should continue. But ultimately there should be a roadmap of Indian football. Two leagues cannot go on permanently. The AFC will also not allow it forever. It is just a solution for the time being.”
“There is a historical issue with Indian football, within that framework, I feel a reasonable two to three years window should be given for I-League also to be continuing. I cannot give you any assurance yet because I have to talk to the AFC. AFC also have to agree to what I am saying. It may be our wish but AFC will have to agree. Our commercial partners have to be consulted. At the end of the day, there are costs involved.”
“There are also rights which they got through the Master agreement which we had signed many years ago. Within that framework which is three years, I feel that the I-League also must co-exist with the fullest recognition of the AFC so that it is an AFC product. It should not be something which is not recognised by the AFC. So the clubs in I-League must also not get lost in the upward movement. These are just suggestions which we will try to talk to all the stakeholders.”
Mohun Bagan official Debasish Dutta said, “We are happy that Mr Patel, spoke to us. We are always with AIFF and personally he is always with the I-League clubs. Since he became the President of the AIFF. He supported the I-League and he has always stated that this is the main league of the country.”