Xtra Time Web Desk: Following the successful staging of the I League 2020-21, the All India Football Federation on Saturday decided to stage the I League once again in Kolkata. The tentative start date of the I League 2021-22 will be mid-December. All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials –Senior Vice President Subrata Dutta, General Secretary Subrata Dutta, I League CEO Sunando Dhar along with Souter Vaz, Lalnghinglova Hmar, Anil Kumar, Chirag Tanna and Rochak Langer decided in a virtual meeting via video conferencing. The Committee agreed that under the circumstances, and considering the possibility of a 3rd wave, this is the best option, and approved the venue and the format.
The I League 2021-22 will be played among 13 teams.
“The format of the League will be the same as the last edition with all teams playing each other once, and then divided into two groups. While the top half vying for the Championship will comprise 7 teams, the bottom half which will be battling it out for the relegation will have 6 teams,” said Sunando Dhar informed.
He added, “The number of matches will also be more this edition – a rise from 80 to 114.”
The Committee also deliberated at length and felt that the relegation rule will be applied to the I-League 2021-22 irrespective of the current situation, and there won’t be any change in the regulation once the League kicks-off.
The Committee agreed that keeping in view the circumstances and the logistical and financial feasibility, a maximum of 10 teams will be participating in the I-League Qualifiers which are proposed to be held at a single venue. The Committee approved Bengaluru as the venue for the qualifiers to be held in September 2021.