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In the next episode of the I-League clubs vs AIFF/FSDL, the I-League clubs have send a letter to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi urging him to intervene in their fight against the national federation AIFF.
The letter titled ‘Need your kind intervention to save Indian football from victimisation by AIFF (All India Football Federation)’ has 23 points listed.
In the letter the clubs state, “There is a sharp decline in the standard of Indian football. Football is one of the most popular sports in the world, including India, but this popularity has not been matched by necessary and good administration as far as the national body is concerned.”
And they mentioned their issues with the ISL, “Recent media reports and press statements from the AIFF itself have indicated that the AIFF is seeking to make the ISL, which came into existence in 2013, the senior most league in the country, whereas I-League, that dates back to 2007 when it was launched as India’s first ever professional football league is sought to be made into a second tier and inferior league.”
“The ISL is a purely commercial venture played by franchise-based clubs owned by the clubs. It has no relevance. More importantly, players invariably are in the 35-plus age bracket. Players who have no takers abroad are roped, leading to a decline in the standard of Indian football.”
“ISL is just like the IPL of football and so the question that arises is how can a purely commercial league be made into the senior-most league of the country which has no international recognition or standing. It is a close which has no promotion or relegation,” the I-League clubs also claimed.
The letter has been send by six I-League teams in Mohun Bagan AC, Quess East Bengal FC, Churchill Brothers, Gokulam Kerala FC, Minerva Punjab FC and Aizawl FC.
