Those who have passion for football will support I-League, says AIFF president Praful Patel Sep 12, 2015, 12.07AM IST [ Marcus Mergulhao ] Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has come under increasing pressure from all stakeholders to have just one league, rather than split the season's dates for I-League and the Indian Super League. AIFF president Praful Patel explains why the ISL was needed and how having just one league is easier said than done. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with TOI.
Is a merger between the I-League and ISL really possible?
It's a chicken and egg story. The I-League is historic but clubs have their own problems. I don't blame them. The AIFF too has its own problems which cannot be changed overnight. We are bound by contracts which were signed years ago. If you remember, Zee were replaced by IMG-Reliance and it was an arrangement between them. We have to honour that contract. The contract allowed the start of a separate tournament apart from the I-League.
Why was that allowed?
All players wanted the ISL. Players like (Baichung) Bhutia and (Sunil) Chhetri used to come and tell AIFF that we must support such initiatives. The players wanted it, fans loved the idea and we agreed. After one season, there are some issues which we have discussed with IMG-Reliance. Over a period of time, we must have just one league but there should be no doubt that the I-League is our principal tournament, no matter what anyone says or feels.
What about the ISL?
The ISL has brought in some glamour to the game. People have started coming to the ground and players are being paid well. It's (made) a good beginning. But, we also feel the need for the I-League to be longer, a minimum of seven months. IMG-R have told me that even the ISL franchisees need a longer league.
So how do you solve the problem of both leagues wanting a longer duration?
There are issues, surely. A decision regarding one league cannot be taken on the spot. We will have a small working group and see how to take this idea forward. Clubs feel the start of ISL was the end of the I-League, a belief now strengthened with the uncertainty surrounding two I-League clubs, if not more. I don't think that's true. We have had new clubs in the I-League; some may go, some may still enter but more importantly all the legacy clubs are still part of the I-League. Just now (at half time of India's World Cup qualifier against Iran) I was talking to Ozone (who won the bid to rebuild the Bangalore Football Stadium) and they said they wanted to start a team in the I-League. Those who have a passion for the game will definitely support the I-League. A club's problems are not because of the ISL. The basic problem is lack of sponsors, which was existent even before the start of the ISL.
Do you regret allowing ISL to happen, rather than impressing upon corporates interested in football to back existing clubs?
It's a decision that was taken after consultation with all involved, including FIFA and AFC. We did not take a unilateral decision. There are no regrets.
True politician and a past master at ending services which don't allow him a cut....his exemplary record at nearly shutting down air india from any profitable route while at the same time getting approval for buying new aircraft (which ofcourse allowed for generous kickbacks)....is yet to be surpassed by any aviation minister yet...same with ISL.imgr keep him and his small band of chamchas well satisfied..something ileague will never do
Who knows what was actually said. The ISL is not actually "their" tournament, it's an IMG-Reliance one in partnership with the AIFF. STAR Sports have more claim to it than AIFF. AIFF have the I-League so they need to say the right things about it. Who knows what is really happening behind the scenes. Ozone Group was said to be interested in the ISL and after their sponsorship of Chennaiyin, I would not be surprised if they were more serious about that.
I had read from some newspaper that Bengaluru 2nd team proposal was rejected as there's something in BFC s contract preventing a second team from Bengaluru
EB, MB and MSC should negotiate similar terms with AIFF, no orher club/franchise from Bengal would be allowed in I-League and in future ISL/I-League combined league.
I think we are confusing the interests of aiff/indian football with the interests of PP/dhar/das....they have a huge stake in ISL...almost none in ileague..if the ozone group wanted ileague...they would have got it...contract or no contract with BFC....if that is happens dhar/das (1 of them) will be looking for a new job....no serious investor is going to be allowed into ileague for the next 2-3 years till IMGR is absolutely convinced that ISL is not viable/ or state associations revolt.....PP is a past master at these games....just google his statements when he was aviation minister about AI..
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https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=6678
Sep 12, 2015, 12.07AM IST [ Marcus Mergulhao ]
Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has come under increasing pressure from all stakeholders to have just one league, rather than split the season's dates for I-League and the Indian Super League. AIFF president Praful Patel explains why the ISL was needed and how having just one league is easier said than done. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with TOI.
The contract allowed the start of a separate tournament apart from the I-League.
Clubs feel the start of ISL was the end of the I-League, a belief now strengthened with the uncertainty surrounding two I-League clubs, if not more.
I don't think that's true. We have had new clubs in the I-League; some may go, some may still enter but more importantly all the legacy clubs are still part of the I-League. Just now (at half time of India's World Cup qualifier against Iran) I was talking to Ozone (who won the bid to rebuild the Bangalore Football Stadium) and they said they wanted to start a team in the I-League. Those who have a passion for the game will definitely support the I-League. A club's problems are not because of the ISL. The basic problem is lack of sponsors, which was existent even before the start of the ISL.