Forget holding their players for continental cups, they aren't even eligible for these. As of date, they do not comply any of the AFC criteria (and, eyeballs are not among AFC/ FIFA criteria). The fanboys' assumption of the clubs being cash rich so they can meet the criteria as and when required doesn't hold water as most of the criteria has legal and operational aspects.
1) Have a top league with participation from both ISL and I-league teams:
Make it a 16 team or maybe even 14 team affair with 8 ISL teams and the rest of I-league teams participating for a long league
In order to reduce escalated cost due to running the teams for longer duration, conform to AFC guidelines with reduced player pricing for whole year and no of limited foreign players to 4. If required divide the League into 2 groups with the top 2-4 in each group participating in a further league format to proclaim the League positions
2) Have ISL with 8 ISL teams and 6 other top teams from the league (for a further period of 7 years since 10 years is what I hear to be the duration for the 8 ISL teams to be in the top league), and 2 teams from division 2. Following 10 years of ISL completion make it purely based on ranking in the league.
Divide this into 2 groups
follow current format with 6 foreigners that could be in playing eleven. Give scope for the teams to carry out loan of players both domestic and foreigners and maintain the same extravaganza as is now.
This would be more like a rejuvenated form of Federation cup with the top teams plying their trade in a tournament and not a league which is also necessary.
So while cost will certainly increase but not to escalated portions with limitations in both the formats and also participation of a lot of Indian players guaranteed.
However for all of above to happen, it would mean ISL teams conforming to AFC guidelines and criteria.
Conforming to AFC criteria is the easiest thing in the world. I-LEAGUE clubs have been fudging it ...and besides it is now policed by AIFF and not AFC as it was in the past...
Legal criteria/ compliance is only in terms of accouting and showing proof of contracts.
As per facilities..you just have to show an MoU and or contract to hire facilities...
Don't forget in ISL the League ( IMG-R) take the responsibility for the whole league in terms of Stadium and match day organisation, so they dont need the Clubs to hire individuals for these centrally controlled operations.
Someone needs to change the NAME of the thread...its no longer a Merger..
I hope no I-league team makes to ISL. instead ISL should come up with 2 new franchise from new locations like Gujrat/Rajasthan/Hydrabad/UP/Punjab or J&K (Like original plan)
Comments
Here's my take on merger:
1) Have a top league with participation from both ISL and I-league teams:
Make it a 16 team or maybe even 14 team affair with 8 ISL teams and the rest of I-league teams participating for a long league
In order to reduce escalated cost due to running the teams for longer duration, conform to AFC guidelines with reduced player pricing for whole year and no of limited foreign players to 4. If required divide the League into 2 groups with the top 2-4 in each group participating in a further league format to proclaim the League positions
2) Have ISL with 8 ISL teams and 6 other top teams from the league (for a further period of 7 years since 10 years is what I hear to be the duration for the 8 ISL teams to be in the top league), and 2 teams from division 2. Following 10 years of ISL completion make it purely based on ranking in the league.
Divide this into 2 groups
follow current format with 6 foreigners that could be in playing eleven. Give scope for the teams to carry out loan of players both domestic and foreigners and maintain the same extravaganza as is now.
This would be more like a rejuvenated form of Federation cup with the top teams plying their trade in a tournament and not a league which is also necessary.
So while cost will certainly increase but not to escalated portions with limitations in both the formats and also participation of a lot of Indian players guaranteed.
However for all of above to happen, it would mean ISL teams conforming to AFC guidelines and criteria.
I-LEAGUE clubs have been fudging it ...and besides it is now policed by AIFF and not AFC as it was in the past...
Legal criteria/ compliance is only in terms of accouting and showing proof of contracts.
As per facilities..you just have to show an MoU and or contract to hire facilities...
Don't forget in ISL the League ( IMG-R) take the responsibility for the whole league in terms of Stadium and match day organisation, so they dont need the Clubs to hire individuals for these centrally controlled operations.
Someone needs to change the NAME of the thread...its no longer a Merger..
It's a proposed takeover...
ISL is gonna be a long league
Now waiting to know whether Eb and MB can make it to ISL
So that this merger/takeover fun will be maximum