AIFF look to finalize ISL-I-league merger for 2017-18 start

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been dragging its feet on the ISL-I-league merger in trying to find an amicable solution for all stakeholders. The delay has seen several I-league clubs withdraw from the competition, including stalwart Salgaocar from the the next season, citing lack of clarity in the way forward and bipartisan handling of I-league clubs by the AIFF.

However, it appears that the AIFF expect to wrap things up by Feb-March next year and launch  the new format in2017-18.

"If we don`t arrive at an amicable plan for the stakeholders, then the plan will be moved back for the 2018-19 season," AIFF general secretary Kushal Das told IANS agency.

The proposed league could have about 10-11 teams with all the ISL teams included, while the I-league teams to make the cut are possibly current champions Bengaluru FC and runners-up Mohun Bagan, although East Bengal could sneak in as well.

"The number of teams to participate in the league is yet to be decided," Das added.

AIFF president Praful Patel insisted that they are taking their time to come up with a well-thought out plan. "We can`t take any shortcuts. We have to think of a well defined plan and all stakeholders have to be taken aboard. The time-frame spoken of is being set by everybody except us. We are step by step moving in the direction and I can`t say how many clubs will play in it,” Patel said.

We respect all the legacy clubs that have contributed to Indian football. But at the same time we have no shortage of interest among new clubs who want to play in I-League.

Patel

However, the AIFF has found it difficult to balance the interests of cash-strapped but legendary I-league clubs against that of fledging but rich ISL clubs. The ISL also finds itself on the wrong side of the FIFA rules that place a cap of four foreign players per club if they wish to qualify for international tournaments.

The AIFF are under pressure after FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the I-League as India's top league and urged the AIFF to preserve the interests of I-league clubs.

Former India striker IM Vijayan felt that the new league should encompass enough I-League clubs to allow all top-flight Indian footballers a chance to continue playing at the top level.

"There are a lot of players. But due to pull out of clubs like Salgaocar many players are clubless. If the merged league has greater number of clubs then the free players will get a chance to play,” Vijayan said.

"The new league should also employ AFC`s four foreigner rule rather than the six imports allowed in ISL," he added.