Aizawl threaten ‘fast unto death’ if demoted

Newly-crowned I-League champions Aizawl FC have threatened to go on a “fast unto death” if they are not allowed to play in the top-tier of domestic club structure next season. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is mulling restructuring of domestic football into three tiers from next season. According to the plan, the top-tier will be played among the existing eight teams of the ISL and 2-3 clubs from I-League.

The second tier is likely to be made up of the current I-League clubs sans those which make it to the top-tier. Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Bengaluru FC are tipped to be among the clubs which may get to play in the top league along with the existing eight ISL teams. There will be no promotion to the top league from the lower tiers at least for another seven years. Fearing that they will be consigned to the second tier for many years even after winning the I-League, Aizwal FC has written to the AIFF and expressed concern.

“Aizwal has submitted its formal claim to AIFF to continue in the top league even after the proposed merger of the existing top league with the ISL,” the Mizoram club wrote on its official Twitter handle. “If no positive response is received from AIFF, the club will approach sports minister and prime minister. If all these steps are failed, the club will resort to world-wide protests, sitting demonstration, picketing of AIFF office, mass hunger strike/fast unto death protest,” the club said.