Clubs of the second tier of Indian football have informed FIFA representatives in the country that they intend to pursue legal action against the football governing body if their plans at expanding the league are not ratified.
The league has announced plans to introduce a second division, and by extension, bringing in the concept of relegation and promotion. This is the first step towards Indian football’s potential expansion as they aim to emulate the European system, which has become so widely regarded over the years.
The decision making members of Indian club football are understood to have met with the FIFA delegation in India, and the expansion has proved to be the point of disagreement, as was confirmed by the parting statement of the meet.
The I-League officials and the club representatives met with the four-member FIFA delegation but could not see eye to eye with their Indian counterparts, a top official of the league revealed, in return for anonymity.
It is the wish of the I-League clubs for the All India Football Federation to put into writing that the I-League winners will be promoted to the Indian Super League in the regulations and charter of the 2022-23 League, which is set to begin on October 29.
“We have stressed for the creation of one league with ISL and I-League teams also informing that if the roadmap is not followed, we may go to court.
Before the start of the I-League, each participating club is sent a charter of rules and regulations. We want the point of promotion to be included in the 2022-23 charter.”
Dipak Singh of Mohammedan Sporting said after the meeting with the FIFA delegation.
While refusing to agree to the terms put forward by the Indian clubs, FIFA sought time to go over the request, even mulling a potential franchise fee for new owners.
The representatives of the Indian clubs even requested the introduction of a new financial model, as they revealed that the current financial model was not viable, and that the teams were not even able to break even from the costs of running the teams.
