XtraTime Web Desk: Former I League champion Minerva Punjab have withdrawn from the upcoming Super Cup. citing the unfair treatment dished out to the I-League teams. The club informed their decision through a letter sent to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Mr Kushal Das today.
The club pointed out that the I-League clubs are being neglected by all aspects by the country’s football federation. Eight I-League clubs had written a letter to the AIFF in February this year regarding multiple concerns such as the future of the I-League but they are yet to hear back from the country’s football federation. The former champions also highlighted how the AIFF has not provided any financial assistance to the participating teams despite having a title sponsor for the event. With no AFC competitions also on offer, the club felt the competition lacked any incentive for the teams.
The Hero Cup is a knockout tournament hosted by the AIFF where I-League teams lock horns against the Indian Super League teams. It is India’s main club knockout tournament and Minerva was scheduled to play the qualifying round against FC Pune City on the 15th of March. The club will now wait for a response from the AIFF before taking a decision.