Xtra Time Web Desk: Former I League champions Chennai City FC were on Saturday barred from participating in the upcoming edition after failing to comply with AIFF’s club licensing regulations. The decision to bar them was taken by the All India Football Federation’s Club Licensing Committee.
“The AIFF Club Licensing Committee has taken strong exception to Chennai City FC (the “Club”) for failing to comply with most of the mandatory AIFF Club Licensing Regulations for the forthcoming Hero I-League 2021-22 despite giving additional opportunity after assurances from the Club including a detailed conference call,” the federation said in a statement.
Kenkre FC, who finished second in the I-League qualifiers, will replace the former champion. The I-League will kick off in Kolkata from December 26, but the fixtures are yet to be announced.
Besides being banned from participating in the I-League, the AIFF also imposed a FIFA transfer ban on the club, which does not allow them to sign players.
“With the Hero I-League scheduled to kick-off later this month, the committee wasn’t in any position to give any more opportunities to the club, and henceforth, has unanimously decided to not grant the exemption sought by the club, after having failed to receive the ICLS Premier 2 Licence of 2021-22 season.