AIFF postpone executive committee meeting until July 9
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has reportedly postponed the future of I-League by pushing back the July 3 executive meeting by six days to July 9. However, the continuing cash crunch meant AIFF is yet to pay I-League runners-up East Bengal, Real Kashmir, and Indian Arrows players.
AIFF has decided to further delay the consequences of the storm brewing around Indian football as TOI has now reported that the much-awaited meeting of the federation concerning what would be India’s top tier football league has further been postponed owing to unavailability of the required members.
“We had to postpone the meeting due to unavailability of several members even though president Praful Patel was available,” said AIFF general secretary Kushal Das, who is attending a FIFA conference in Bhutan, reported TOI.
Das further clarified that Chennai City FC couldn’t be allowed a chair in the executive meeting after the I-League champions had requested for the same in a letter.
“The AIFF statutes don’t allow us to invite clubs other than the already present members,” Das added.
Apart from the very important decision of Indian club football’s future, AIFF would also be needing to sort out the financial turmoil they have currently been in. Although they have paid Rs 1 crore prize money to champions Chennai City FC on Thursday, East Bengal and Real Kashmir FC are still waiting for their share of Rs 60 lakhs and 40 lakhs respectively.
East Bengal CEO Sanjit Sen has confirmed that they have sent all the expenses details to the federation but are yet to receive the money.
“We haven’t received any money from AIFF. We had also sent AIFF our invoice with details of our travelling dues and subsidies. Hopefully, they should clear them soon,” Sen said.
After CCFC got their share of money following a letter to AIFF on Tuesday, Real Kashmir co-owner Sandeep Chattoo have revealed that they are thinking of doing the same.
“We understand that AIFF is undergoing a turmoil and we are ready to AIFF some leeway. However, we might have to go CCFC way and send a letter to AIFF and post it on Twitter if the money isn’t credited in a while,” Chattoo said.
Apart from the clubs, the developmental squad of the Indian Arrows are yet to get their money.