"Even FIFA does not permit two leagues. President Praful Patel has said that, at some stage, the two leagues will have to merge. We do not know when and how. But a merger has to take place,"
Sunando Dhar, I-League CEO
Augusto Rodrigues
PANAJI
As of now, no teams in the I-League have given any indication of withdrawing from the AIFF premier tournament. Right now, Pune FC and Bharat FC are there and the AIFF has not approached Dempo Sports Club to join the I-League, despite being relegated.
A turf war normally breaks out when it is time for the ISL to start. The protagonist of the I-League and the ISL are slugging it out over schedules, competitions and marketing.
“Pune FC and Bharat FC have given me no intimation that they are withdrawing from the I-League. This is not even a rumour. The league will be held in January as planned, with a few additions if some other corporates join. It will be ideal to have twenty teams in the I-League,” stated I-League CEO Sunando Dhar while speaking to The Goan.
"Dempo SC has not been approached by AIFF. Where is the need?," questioned Sunando.
“We are looking at the financial viability and have made a list of demands and presented them to the AIFF. We have not heard from them yet. But, we have not communicated our desire to back out from the I-League,” stated Bharat FC director Kunal Agarwal.“The I-League has to be longer, there has to be more competition - apart from the I League- and the marketing needs to be improved. These are the three main things that not only we at Bhrarat FC but other clubs have raised with AIFF. We have not heard from them yet but, are waiting,” added Kunal.
“We have asked for an assurance that the two leagues will merge. Without a proper calendar our players remain idle after the I-League. What are we supposed to do? As of now, the financial viability is a stirrer. We need some clarity from AIFF,” added Kunal while emphasising that Bharat FC has not closed it’s I-League book.
“I am not aware of the demands put up by the clubs. All I know is that in the meeting with AIFF President Praful Patel, club stake holders spoke on improving the marketing of the I-League. There were no other demands or requests made in that meeting. Some decisions were taken on marketing and one of them was that a fund will be created with contributions from AIFF and the clubs,” Dhar reminded.“We cannot be having two leagues in India. Even FIFA does not permit two leagues. President Praful Patel has said that, at some stage, the two leagues will have to merge. We do not know when and how. But a merger has to take place. Since nobody knows when, the air of uncertainty will hang around people involved with football. It will stop when the merger happens. Till then, we will have to wait,” Dhar said optimistically.
“I do admit the I-League has been curtailed. But, it went on well last year and it will go on well this year too. Quick fixes cannot help the game go forward. Some hiccups are bound to be there. But we must persevere with a positive mind set. In this journey, rumours are bound to be manifested," stated Dhar confidently.
Bharat FC may have some financial skirmishes with AIFF in the short term. In the long run , both appear set to wait and watch football evolve as terms and time are settled to bring the two leagues on a common pitch.
