Club football’s future on AIFF meeting agenda

KOLKATA: A meeting between I-League clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will take place with officials of IMGReliance in attendance. The meeting is likely to be held in Mumbai on Friday.

An official of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed this to HT on Monday, saying discussions will only be on the future of club football in India.

Clubs have been informed about the meeting on Sunday, said the official requesting anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media on this.

The meeting is significant for three reasons. One, I-League clubs have for long asked about what can be done to improve the competition as a product. Two, there is a feeling among some stakeholders in football in India that IMG-Reliance, the commercial partners of the AIFF, are are not doing enough to promote India’s most important competition.

And finally, the meeting could also end speculation about the future of Pune FC and Bharat FC. Amid unconfirmed reports about them winding up the first team, AIFF president Praful Patel had told HT it is possible the teams may merge. The AIFF has, it was learnt, asked for decision-makers at the club to attend so it is possible that some of the owners could fetch up.

CLUB LICENCING Bharat FC and Pune FC have both stuck to the August deadline and submitted documents for club licensing, it was learnt. Fulfilling licensing criteria is mandatory for taking part in the I-League. The committee that scrutinises documents will meet around September 20.

BHARAT FC AND PUNE FC HAVE BOTH STUCK TO THE AUGUST DEADLINE AND SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS FOR CLUB LICENSING