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AIFF expresses regret after Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa 'withdraw' from I-League

The AIFF, which on May 17 met various stakeholders, including its marketing partners IMG-Reliance, virtually recognised ISL as the country's premier league.

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Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa
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Two of Indian football's traditional outfits, Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa, decided to "withdraw" from the forthcoming season of I-League over the AIFF's decision to restructure the domestic league system. The decision was made public in a joint statement issued by the two Goa-based clubs.

The AIFF, which on May 17 met various stakeholders, including its marketing partners IMG-Reliance, virtually recognised ISL as the country's premier league as per its draft plan, while deciding to form a three-tier football system in India from 2017-18.

"Over the past few weeks, Salgaocar Football Club and Sporting Clube de Goa have had several rounds of discussions and have deliberated the impact that the May 17th proposal will have on the state of the sport. It is clear that the proposal is highly discriminatory, goes against sporting merit, is unworkable for I-League clubs and hampers Goa, which is the best represented state in the I-League, the most," the two clubs said in a statement.

It added, "Therefore, rather than waiting for another year to face the inevitable, Salgaocar Football Club and Sporting Clube de Goa have decided to take the painful decision to withdraw from the forthcoming edition of the I-League."

The AIFF has also faced opposition to its proposed plans from legacy clubs such as Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The exit of Salgaocar and Sporting Clube de Goa will come as another blow.

Detailing the sequence of events from the May 17 meeting, the two Goan heavyweights called AIFF's proposals 'shocking' and 'disheartening'.

"At this meeting a detailed proposal was presented, which is heavily biased against the I-League and its clubs. Not only does it relegate the I-League to a second tier league, but also does away with promotion, thereby replacing merit with a franchisee fee as the primary criteria for participating in the top league.

"The ISL, hitherto termed as only a tournament by the AIFF, would leapfrog the I-League to become the nation's top league, with no relegation. This was shocking and disheartening, especially considering the repeated claims made by representatives of AIFF and FIFA that the I-League was the premier league competition in the country."

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) expressed regret and surprise over the sudden decision of Salgaocar SC and Sporting Clube de Goa to pull out of I-League.

Terming it as a knee jerk and speculative reaction, AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said: “We along with our marketing partners have been very transparent sharing our thoughts with all stakeholders regarding the way forward for Indian football.

“It was clearly stated that the shared draft was only a proposal and we would like suggestions from various stakeholders. The AIFF has been receiving various suggestions and the last one was received only a week back.

“Since it involves setting the roadmap for Indian football every aspect needs to be carefully considered. So the assumption made by the clubs that AIFF has not responded is presumptuous and speculative," he added.

Das added: "There is no denying the contribution made by the clubs who have been associated with Indian football for a long time, it was also evident that they were unable to create fan base to sustain themselves.

"The purpose of the proposal was to enable clubs to create a sustainable model for the future which has unfortunately been wrongly interpreted by some of the clubs.”.

Reacting to the allegations of the clubs about financial matters, Sunando Dhar, I-League CEO said: "The amount for fielding age-group sides in the respective competitions of AIFF which were pending since 2008 was agreed in an I-League committee meeting that the same would be adjusted against the I-League participation fees. This has been in practice for the last 3-4 years."

Mohun Bagan and East Bengal shocked

Mohun Bagan and East Bengal blasted the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for overlooking the I-League clubs after two Goan giants, Sporting Clube de Goa and Salgaocar pulled out of the country's top tier domestic tournament.

"It's another nail in the coffin. Now, what's left to play for in the I-League. The president and his entourage should play the I-League now," East Bengal secretary Kalyan Majumdar said in his usual sarcastic tone.

The Goan giants today joined a list of discontent clubs -- Pune FC, Bharat FC, Royal Wahingdoh -- who have dropped out of the I-League with the AIFF keen to make the lucrative franchise based league ISL as the top tier tournament.

The East Bengal top boss, however, did not specify what would be their course of action. "The AIFF is not clear what they want to do. They are supposed to inform us. You cannot equate the likes of Delhi Dyanamos to East Bengal. You compare the history," Majumdar said. Terming it a black day, Mohun Bagan general secretary Anjan Mitra called for an urgent meeting of all the state associations.

"We have to sort out the mess. All the state units must sit together and take steps amicably, if not we should follow a legal route," he said. "We (the federation) should not only think of making money. We are keeping a close watch."

 

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