I-League clubs submit charter of demands to AIFF, threaten legal action
The top-flight clubs have reaffirmed that they will also approach FIFA if national football's apex body fails to act.
In a press conference called by the I-League (Private) Clubs Association in Kolkata on Sunday, Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj, with the support of several other clubs- Shillong Lajong, Aizawl FC, NEROCA FC, Gokulam Kerala FC and Chennai City FC have presented a set of demands to the AIFF.
The conference started on an explosive note, with Bajaj alleging that the AIFF and the FSDL are in bed in order to destroy the I-League. He alleged that the apex body has sold itself to a private organization which is trying to monopolize the beautiful game. He revealed that his primary grievance was against Star Sports' ruling that they would broadcast only 80 matches amongst the 110 I-League fixtures. He further stated that Churchill Brothers refused to be a part of this association as they had stayed in the league thanks to AIFF's consideration last season in not relegating them and their unnatural continuity in the league cost each I-League club 30 lakh rupees each in terms of stipend from the AIFF.
Bajaj was also vocal with his demands to ensure that the I-League remains the top league of the country. The Minerva Punjab owner revealed that he had formed the association in October and they had a Whatsapp group of all the club owners. However, despite showing support initially, Real Kashmir FC has stayed silent of late and did not represent itself in the conference on Sunday, bowing down to continuous ‘pressure’.
He also stated that both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan had remained indifferent to his call to arms, stating that the Kolkata clubs did so because they would be featuring in the ISL next season. He even took this occasion to "beg" their support, as it will be crucial for him and the association to make their case in front of the media. He also warned the Bengal outfits that they could well be ousted from their apparent position of comfort in the next season itself.
Bajaj then went on to clarify how the FSDL had been influencing even the selection of the National Team manager and the players, and how leaving out the likes of Soosairaj and Jobby Justin for the AFC Asian Cup team was unforgivable. He was supported to an equal extent by Dr. Ashok, the Gokulam Kerala FC representative, who said that the step-motherly treatment meted out to the I-League was not acceptable and that the AIFF is slowly trying to kill the "backbone of Indian Football". Arvindan Vijaykumar, the operations head of Chennai City FC noted that the decision of Star Sports to not broadcast the live games was one of "accountability" for any controversy that might happen on the field would have to go unpunished for lack of evidence.
The conference was brought to an end by Bajaj himself, who stated that the AIFF, who had been informed of this committee and all previous press releases would be intimated a set of demands, which are as follows:
1. All remaining I-League games should be broadcasted live this season.
2. The I-League deserves a better promotion and marketing strategy with better broadcasting.
3. The AIFF needs to recognize the I-League as the national and top league of the country and the ISL as the national cup competition if needed.
4. Going forward, he has also asked the AIFF to present and implement the AFC's roadmap for One League in the country.
Bajaj threatened that failure to implement these demands or at least respond to them, on the AIFF's part by 5th January 2019 would cause him to take legal action against the governing body. He would take up his case in Indian civil courts, FIFA and even at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Switzerland if needed. He further elaborated that he is very sure of the evidence that he has with respect to the rules that have been flouted by the AIFF and FSDL.
According to him, FIFA's rulebook contains clauses 19.1 and 19.2 which prevents any third party interference in the sport in any country. These causes have been defied in this case, so he has the full weight of the legal system to take the war against AIFF and FSDL if they fail to take any action soon.
The Club's should take this fight to FIFA if needed. In any case, this is the end of the road for them, so they should fight it out to the end.
It is unfortunate that the clubs cannot unite even at this stage. Churchill is just a stooge of AIFF, but the Kolkata clubs cannot play in one league and have allegiance to another. Real Kashmir is also capitulating surprisingly.
Gokulam Kerala CEO, Dr. Ashok Kumar, who was present in the meet, called the FSDL a 'circus' and blamed its product - the Indian Super League (ISL) - for the slow demise of the I-League.
"First there was the National Football League (NFL), that became the I-League and slowly, some circus steps into it stating that it is ISL. None of the participants had the club criteria fulfilled when they got into the ISL.
"They call themselves franchises, they are not a club. As the days went by, they wanted identity because they never had any identity," he lashed out.
Interestingly, he was part of Pune FC who became the first professional club in India.
The former Chennai City COO continued, "They forced or I would rather say arm-twisted the apex body, got into a new tournament, known as Super Cup and they said we are also there. It is a painful situation.
"We've to stop them putting nail after nail into the coffin (I-League). The one inside the coffin is still alive and it's the one responsible for Indian football.
"The ones playing the ISL - all are nurtured by the I-League clubs, even the national teams players who have done well in the last 2-3 years under the head coach, who got the team from 174 rank to 97 - all nurtured by the I-League clubs.
"One body cannot take away the spirit of football from us. It now looks like its football versus money. The game is greater than the money. Money cannot buy the game. Without Pune FC, where is Amrinder Singh, where is Jeje Lalpekhlua?
"It's a very pathetic situation we are in now. I have been talking about a roadmap since the beginning, which is still not in place."
Wait, so what logic is this? These idiots want free promotion, free telecast, free everything? You need to pay to get telecast and promotion and these jokers want for free lol
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I-League clubs submit charter of demands to AIFF, threaten legal action
The top-flight clubs have reaffirmed that they will also approach FIFA if national football's apex body fails to act.
In a press conference called by the I-League (Private) Clubs Association in Kolkata on Sunday, Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj, with the support of several other clubs- Shillong Lajong, Aizawl FC, NEROCA FC, Gokulam Kerala FC and Chennai City FC have presented a set of demands to the AIFF.
The conference started on an explosive note, with Bajaj alleging that the AIFF and the FSDL are in bed in order to destroy the I-League. He alleged that the apex body has sold itself to a private organization which is trying to monopolize the beautiful game. He revealed that his primary grievance was against Star Sports' ruling that they would broadcast only 80 matches amongst the 110 I-League fixtures. He further stated that Churchill Brothers refused to be a part of this association as they had stayed in the league thanks to AIFF's consideration last season in not relegating them and their unnatural continuity in the league cost each I-League club 30 lakh rupees each in terms of stipend from the AIFF.
Bajaj was also vocal with his demands to ensure that the I-League remains the top league of the country. The Minerva Punjab owner revealed that he had formed the association in October and they had a Whatsapp group of all the club owners. However, despite showing support initially, Real Kashmir FC has stayed silent of late and did not represent itself in the conference on Sunday, bowing down to continuous ‘pressure’.
He also stated that both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan had remained indifferent to his call to arms, stating that the Kolkata clubs did so because they would be featuring in the ISL next season. He even took this occasion to "beg" their support, as it will be crucial for him and the association to make their case in front of the media. He also warned the Bengal outfits that they could well be ousted from their apparent position of comfort in the next season itself.
Bajaj then went on to clarify how the FSDL had been influencing even the selection of the National Team manager and the players, and how leaving out the likes of Soosairaj and Jobby Justin for the AFC Asian Cup team was unforgivable. He was supported to an equal extent by Dr. Ashok, the Gokulam Kerala FC representative, who said that the step-motherly treatment meted out to the I-League was not acceptable and that the AIFF is slowly trying to kill the "backbone of Indian Football". Arvindan Vijaykumar, the operations head of Chennai City FC noted that the decision of Star Sports to not broadcast the live games was one of "accountability" for any controversy that might happen on the field would have to go unpunished for lack of evidence.
The conference was brought to an end by Bajaj himself, who stated that the AIFF, who had been informed of this committee and all previous press releases would be intimated a set of demands, which are as follows:
1. All remaining I-League games should be broadcasted live this season.
2. The I-League deserves a better promotion and marketing strategy with better broadcasting.
3. The AIFF needs to recognize the I-League as the national and top league of the country and the ISL as the national cup competition if needed.
4. Going forward, he has also asked the AIFF to present and implement the AFC's roadmap for One League in the country.
Bajaj threatened that failure to implement these demands or at least respond to them, on the AIFF's part by 5th January 2019 would cause him to take legal action against the governing body. He would take up his case in Indian civil courts, FIFA and even at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Switzerland if needed. He further elaborated that he is very sure of the evidence that he has with respect to the rules that have been flouted by the AIFF and FSDL.
According to him, FIFA's rulebook contains clauses 19.1 and 19.2 which prevents any third party interference in the sport in any country. These causes have been defied in this case, so he has the full weight of the legal system to take the war against AIFF and FSDL if they fail to take any action soon.
Gokulam Kerala CEO, Dr. Ashok Kumar, who was present in the meet, called the FSDL a 'circus' and blamed its product - the Indian Super League (ISL) - for the slow demise of the I-League.
"First there was the National Football League (NFL), that became the I-League and slowly, some circus steps into it stating that it is ISL. None of the participants had the club criteria fulfilled when they got into the ISL.
"They call themselves franchises, they are not a club. As the days went by, they wanted identity because they never had any identity," he lashed out.
Interestingly, he was part of Pune FC who became the first professional club in India.
The former Chennai City COO continued, "They forced or I would rather say arm-twisted the apex body, got into a new tournament, known as Super Cup and they said we are also there. It is a painful situation.
"We've to stop them putting nail after nail into the coffin (I-League). The one inside the coffin is still alive and it's the one responsible for Indian football.
"The ones playing the ISL - all are nurtured by the I-League clubs, even the national teams players who have done well in the last 2-3 years under the head coach, who got the team from 174 rank to 97 - all nurtured by the I-League clubs.
"One body cannot take away the spirit of football from us. It now looks like its football versus money. The game is greater than the money. Money cannot buy the game. Without Pune FC, where is Amrinder Singh, where is Jeje Lalpekhlua?
"It's a very pathetic situation we are in now. I have been talking about a roadmap since the beginning, which is still not in place."
https://www.goal.com/en-tza/news/i-league-clubs-association-dr-ashok-kumar-gokulam-kerala/199003bxx6641z8t6h3ye8l07