AIFF mulling over ISL and I-League merger for 17-team 'one league'

I-League have suffered some big blows in the build-up to the new season, with three teams pulling out of India's premier football tournament. Pune FC have shut down their first team operation, while Bharat FC, a club formed at the start of the previous campaign, have decided to withdraw as well. Royal Wahingdoh, who made an exciting debut in I-League last season after their promotion, have also decided to back away from the league, citing lack of clarity about the vision of the league.

Kushal Das, however, was quick to point out that two new teams have also arrived in the league – DSK Shivajians and the newly promoted Aizawl FC.

"It is true that teams have come down in I-League. But two new teams have also come up. One team which is no longer in League didn't have any vision. But the issue of Pune FC, not playing is a matter of concern. Maybe, they have not been able to develop a fan base in all these years, inspite of handling it professionally. And in case of Royal Wahingdoh, the reasons are financial," Kushal Das said at the launch of the Hero I-League 2015-16, as reported by PTI.

The general secretary has also revealed that the AIFF are now mulling over a 17-team 'One league' – nine I-League teams and eight ISL teams.

"But if you see the overall picture, two years back there were 12 teams playing the I-league and now by combining two leagues, you have 17 teams playing, which helps us in thinking about merger much more," Das told reporters.