Trying to find solution and not victimize clubs, says Praful Patel

Patel had promised the I-League clubs in the meeting that he would be requesting the Asian Football Confederation to let India run the leagues alongside each other. And while the AIFF executive committee on Tuesday even requested the AFC to send a representative to India for the same, Patel has been of the opinion that the confederation wouldn’t accept the current system for long.

 “AFC won’t accept a closed league for long. We have to bring in promotion and relegation in three years’ time. It is the reason why I have proposed a three-year status quo for both leagues to run simultaneously despite AFC not willing to allow it,” said Patel, reported TOI.

Despite AIFF signing the Master Rights Agreement by Football Sports Development Limited, Patel has stated that a unified league would be the only ideal way forward. “Exemption has been given only for a few years. We have to have one league with promotion and relegation. AFC won’t agree to a closed league forever. That’s why I am asking for a three-year window. Within that period, we have to find a solution. We can’t encourage a closed league all the time,” he said.