I-League winners might be robbed off a continental berth
The All Indian Football Federation have recently elevated the ISL as the “top league” in the country, but the move has jeopardized a continental slot allocated for the I-League winners. The AIFF is confident that they would find a solution and reserve the AFC Cup slot to the I-League winners.
Previously, the ISL winners used to get the AFC Cup slot while the I-League winners were awarded the AFC Champions League Qualifying berth. But, now, there’s a twist in the tale.Â
As per the guidelines of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the AFC Champions League qualifying slot will be awarded to the winner of the country’s top league, which was till now, the I-League. On the other hand, the AFC spot would be allocated for the winners of a knockout tournament, which was the Federation Cup, but it was susbsequently replaced by the Super Cup. ISL was shown as a knock-out tournament as it had a play-off to qualify for the final and so the winners got a ticket to the AFC Cup.
So, with the ISL given top status, the AFC cup should technically be awarded to the winners of the Super Cup since it is the only knock-out tournament in the country. This means that the I-League not only becomes the second division league in the country but are also deprived of a continental berth.
Although, the AIFF is certain that they would find a solution to the problem and reserve an AFC Cup spot to the winners of the I-League. A solution is expected by the end of November this year.
“Our idea is to have the AFC Champions League slot for the ISL. And we are trying to get the AFC Cup slot for the I-League. A meeting regarding the allocation of AFC berths and league functioning is scheduled for late November,” stated the AIFF as reported by Sportstar.
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