I-League | Matches to be telecast across Hotstar and Jio TV platforms

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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After the AIFF decided to not televise I-League matches this season, the games are set to be broadcast online on the Hotstar and Jio TV for the remainder of the season. The match between Neroca FC and Shillong Lajong in Imphal will be the first to be shown across on both platforms.

There was extreme anger from a majority of the I-League teams and supporters after the AIFF recently announced that only 30 of the 61 remaining matches will be shown on TV. That decision did not go well with a majority of the league clubs and their owners had threatened to take the Indian governing body to court 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. Now, after much pressure, the AIFF and its commercial partners have decided to show all the I-League matches, which will not be televised, on online platforms Hotstar and Jio TV. 

The online telecast for the domestic competition will begin from Friday on January 4, starting with the north-eastern derby between Neroca FC and Shillong Lajong in the afternoon in Imphal.

“Having worked this out with our commercial partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), we have come to the conclusion that the matches which will not be broadcast, will be available online. These matches will be shown with commentary, highlights and replays,” AIFF general secretary Kushal Das told PTI sources.

Earlier, Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj had said that 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. Bajaj also revealed that the I-League has higher TV ratings than the Football Sports Development Limited-promoted ISL.

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar said, “The commitment was to show all the matches, and we are happy that they will be live streamed so that football fans can now follow their favourite teams.”

The non-televised matches from Saturday can be viewed on Hotstar or Jio TV, starting with the match between Aizawl FC and Indian Arrows, which is scheduled for a 2 pm kick-off.

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