FIFA sends letter to AIFF, seeks update on league structure

07/26/2019

The world body of football sent a letter to the All India Football Federation seeking an answer to the tumultuous condition and uncertainty surrounding the future of India’s top tier league. This happened after the I-League clubs sent a letter to FIFA asking for help and speeding up of the process.

The Federation Internationale de Football Association has asked AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das for an update on the current status of the league structure, which has been a huge development considering the impasse that was created with AIFF with the I-League and ISL starting in months.

Fifa’s Chief Member Association Officer Joyce Cook asked AIFF after they were made aware of the situation by the I-League clubs concerning the AIFF’s ongoing discussions with the I-League clubs. In the letter, Joyce confirmed that the world body had received official communication.

The letter from FIFA to the AIFF read, “Further to previous exchanges concerning the sustainable development of top-level Indian club football and the current situation within Indian football, we have recently become aware of media reports concerning ongoing discussions with I-League clubs, the future of the top league’s structure in India and a potentially unified “Indian Football League”. Furthermore, we have also been contacted by several I-League clubs in this regard.

Many of the elements under discussion are related to suggestions made in a joint FIFA and AFC report following an extensive consultation process in 2018. The report’s objectives are among others, to provide the AIFF with external expertise and to support your federation and its stakeholders in establishing and implementing a widely-supported, robust medium to long-term strategy. As you know, the report is therefore a comprehensive review and professional proposal which also contains a series of clear and concrete recommendations for your further consideration.

"In view of the above, we would like to obtain an update on the current position of the AIFF as well as any additional information you may be able to provide on the present situation.

"In closing, we wish to convey our sincerest gratitude and thanks for your professionalism and support in this most important endeavour. Your contribution is fundamental to the future achievements of Indian football at all levels and it is greatly appreciated,” reported Scroll.

In response, the AIFF has given an update stating the developments have happened over the last one month with President Praful Patel meeting the I-League clubs and promising to come up a with a solution that would be in the best interest of the all the stakeholders as per the directions of AFC and FIFA.

Their letter read, “There are some media reports of a communication between FIFA and AIFF regarding the issues of Hero I-League and potentially a unified Indian Football League where a report of a consultation paper of FIFA and AFC in 2018 is being mentioned.

In the recent days, the AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel in his meeting with the Hero I-League clubs as well as in several recent interviews has broadly taken the same line as was suggested in the above-mentioned report.

Needless to mention that this is precisely the reason that a two-three-year window is required to resolve all contentious issues amicably with all stakeholders. The question of Hero Indian Super League not remaining a closed league permanently has been clarified amply enough by the AIFF President, and promotion and relegation eventually would lead to the development of club football in India.

The AIFF is committed to engaging with AFC and FIFA as well as all other stakeholders for finding an early resolution to these issues.”