India’s top football clubs are up in arms against the national federation over moves to stage a cash-rich franchise-based tournament inspired by cricket’s popular Indian Premier League early next year.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner, IMG-Reliance, plan to hold the eight-city tournament in January-March featuring as-yet-unnamed international and local stars. But the clubs have declined to release their players for the tournament, which they say will threaten their existence and ruin the national I-League domestic competition.
‘We don’t think the new league will be beneficial to Indian football,’ said Raj Gomes, who heads the I-League Professional Football Clubs Association. ‘How can we allow players to play for another club in the middle of the season?’
Valanka Alemao, the chief executive officer of popular Goa-based club Churchill Brothers, also vigorously opposed the proposed tournament. ‘I do not understand why the AIFF wants to hold a new league,’ Alemao said. ‘This new entity will eventually supersede the I-League and cause the slow death of existing clubs. ‘The common goal should be to improve Indian football.
How does it help if you get some retired or semi-retired players to grab a few eyeballs for a minute? ‘It will benefit everyone if the AIFF tries to improve the I-League, instead of starting another tournament,’ she said on Monday