Praful Patel criticizes I-League clubs’ decision of boycotting Super Cup

04/07/2019

AIFF president Praful Patel has slammed the I-League clubs for their decision to boycott the ongoing Super Cup which involves clubs from both I-League and ISL. Patel said that he had assured the clubs to meet but the clubs still acted in manner which is “unbecoming of sportsmanship”.

Praful Patel became the first Indian to be elected to the FIFA council and right after that Patel, who holds the prestigious post of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) president has slammed the I-League clubs who have been protesting against the federation. As many as seven I-League clubs have been demanding to schedule a meeting with the president to discuss their and I-League’s future but Patel, who said that he had a busy schedule, could not meet them.

However, the AIFF president has made it clear that he had assured to hold the meeting from April 11 to 14. Meanwhile, the seven clubs decided to boycott the ongoing Super Cup.

“Despite my busy schedule because of the general elections back home and today’s FIFA Council, I assured them that I would meet from April 11 to 14. But, despite my assurance, they acted in a manner that is unbecoming of sportsmanship. What is the point of having this meeting now since they have pulled out of the Super Cup,” Patel told PTI.

Patel was elected to the FIFA council by winning with a huge margin by getting 38 out of 46 votes in his favour at the 29th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Kuala Lumpur. Patel has stated that his victory signifies India’s place in international football and will give India more voice in the global body.

“This signifies India’s place in world football. This will give us more voice. We would look to get more tournaments, international friendlies, exposure for our kids. This will also help us to sign more and more Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the developed football nations,” Patel said.

“Regarding the future road-map of Indian football, we are all working hard in the right direction, I can assure you all.”