Optimistic I-League clubs expecting positive outcome in much-awaited AIFF meeting

Optimistic I-League clubs expecting positive outcome in much-awaited AIFF meeting

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The protesting I-League clubs have stated that they are expecting AIFF to put their ego aside to come up with a solution that would be amicable for both ISL and I-League clubs. AIFF President Praful Patel has finally decided to meet the clubs after moving back on his promise twice before this.

Amidst reports that the Indian Super League clubs would be made the first tier of Indian football with them playing the AFC Champions League and with I-League clubs getting demoted to I-League, I-League clubs have shown optimism about coming out with a favourable solution at the end of their meeting with Patel, which has been scheduled in New Delhi at 3pm on Wednesday.

The AIFF President is finally meeting the clubs after dismissing it once before the league and again before the Super Cup. And Mohun Bagan director Debashish Dutta revealed that the clubs would be going into the meeting leaving aside their ego.

“We are going with a very positive mindset. Every stakeholder in Indian football must be prepared to sacrifice something for the sake of Indian football. We must put Indian football above our ego and it has to come from each and everyone, not just the I-League clubs. We have a lot of faith in Mr. Patel and believe he will fight for Indian football,” said Dutta, reported Sportstar. 

When asked defending I-League champions Chennai City FC owner Rohit Ramesh about it, he said, “We're going in with a positive mood. We are hoping to gain some clarity on the future and the roadmap for Indian football.”

A more vociferous Minerva Punjab FC owner, Ranjit Bajaj, has termed the proceedings as a battle for survival of the small clubs against the big fishes.

 “We have no idea what's going to happen. Our aim is to get an amicable solution for everybody. We have nothing against the ISL clubs. We just don't want to die, it's a matter of survival for us. We are okay if it will be status quo, or if we have a unified league, but we will have a problem if they tell us we are the second league and cannot join the top league,” he said.

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