I-League clubs threaten to take AIFF to court over broadcasting row

I-League clubs threaten to take AIFF to court over broadcasting row

no photo

Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj has threatened to take AIFF to court on behalf of the I-League (Private) Clubs Association if their demands regarding broadcast rights are not met. AIFF had recently announced that it would reduce the I-League TV coverage to just 30 of the 61 pending league matches.

I-League clubs are involved in a heated battle with the All India Football Federation over the latter’s decision to reduce the amount of coverage for the remaining 61 league games this season. In a recent announcement, AIFF had revealed their decision to reduce the I-League TV coverage to just 30 of the 61 remaining matches. This decision did not go well with a majority of the league clubs and their owners who have taken offence over this decision.

Defending champions Minerva Punjab, Chennai City FC, Neroca FC, Aizawl FC, Gokulam Kerala FC and Shillong Lajong FC formed an association to go against the AIFF officials over their recent decision. Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, who will be part of the ISL next season, are not part of this group.

Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj has said if the federation did not get back to the association soon then the clubs will take their fight to a civil court and may even knock on the doors of FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“We have written to [AIFF president] Praful Patel and he is yet to respond. After that, I will be forced to approach the civil courts of India, CAS and Fifa,” Bajaj said at a press conference, reported PTI.

In a letter to the AIFF president Praful Patel, Bajaj said, “We request you to ensure that there is good promotion and marketing of I-League. We urge the AIFF to put your foot down and demand that Star Sports give preference to the national league over the ISL if necessary.”

The association’s top demand is that all I-League matches should be broadcast with equal coverage like the ISL.  Bajaj also revealed that the I-League has higher TV ratings than the Football Sports Development Limited-promoted ISL.

“It’s clear that they are threatened by the I-League’s superior competition,” Bajaj said. “The entire ecosystem in Indian football is owned by the I-League. We all produce players and they want to kill the product. We will die and cease to exist if we stop fighting,” Bajaj added.

Cricket FootBall Kabaddi

Basketball Hockey

SportsCafe

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all