The 3-tier system that AIFF has proposed (!) is so dumb that I am inclined to say it is a deliberate eyewash to the Indian fraternity. If MB, EB and BFC joins ISL, and Goan clubs pull off, then what will remain of League 1? There won't be much difference of it with the third tier. There won't be any public support, no telecast (no channels would be interested), no sponsors, no money and no incentives to upgrade. In no time, it will be like the I-league II of present day, only for IMG-R to offload quietly without any protest (or notice) from the public.
This is their intention. To destroy the football structure that is not theirs. And conduct only one closed, limited entry tournament. Call it development. Call it circus. Call it betting/ money laundering instrument (like IPL).
That makes no sense at all. Literally think about what you said. They need the other leagues to do well in order for the ISL to get better. The ISL by itself, with other leagues and structures falling apart, will not do any good in the long run and it would be a failure.
That is what I said. Without any structure, and with only a closed league, how much we can hope to proceed?
ISL definitely needs other leagues to do well (even the state leagues) to get better themselves. But what are the incentives the lower level clubs would have in such a 'structure'? Would they be able to continue? A big no. The supply line -- as it is not in the prime of health -- would dry up. Though ISL clubs do not need fresh Indian players; 4 men standing will do for them as rest of them are foreigners. so a reduced supply line will not hurt ISL, as it will the NT.
Even if the lower tier teams are not having any scope (atleast as of now) to get promoted to top tier, the biggest incentive for them is to qualify for the AFC cup and represent India. Closed league or not, there will always be some team which will lack motivation to continue irrespective of which tier they belong in. There were many teams in the I league that shut down even before the ISL started. Even after so much promotion and broadcast in ISL some owners are selling off their stakes. There will always be some team owner who will withdraw, citing some reason or the other. It has got nothing to do with the lack of promotion - relegation. If that was the scenario football wouldnt have thrived in USA/Australia. People here are judging the outcome too early, even before the plans are implemented.
Playing in AFC Cup is NOT an incentive for the cash-starved smaller clubs of the rump-League I -- even biggies like MB-EB couldn't handle it properly. It is a liability which most of the clubs would like to avoid. Main reason is to get quality players, and retaining team way beyond the regular season (Imagine Aizawl FC or Mumbai FC gearing up for Shandong Luneng Taishan FC). So much so, teams gave it second priority after domestic league.
Also I find it funny when the top league teams are not in AFC Cup; or will they be busy for Chelsea/ Borussia in Champion's Cup?
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This is their intention. To destroy the football structure that is not theirs. And conduct only one closed, limited entry tournament. Call it development. Call it circus. Call it betting/ money laundering instrument (like IPL).
ISL definitely needs other leagues to do well (even the state leagues) to get better themselves. But what are the incentives the lower level clubs would have in such a 'structure'? Would they be able to continue? A big no. The supply line -- as it is not in the prime of health -- would dry up. Though ISL clubs do not need fresh Indian players; 4 men standing will do for them as rest of them are foreigners. so a reduced supply line will not hurt ISL, as it will the NT.
Also I find it funny when the top league teams are not in AFC Cup; or will they be busy for Chelsea/ Borussia in Champion's Cup?