I-League clubs oppose AIFF’s proposed roadmap

I-League clubs, including the two-time I-League champions Gokulam Kerala and Churchill Brothers, are reportedly unhappy with the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) proposed roadmap for Indian domestic football.

The AIFF already set up a roadmap around three years ago to set up the proper ISL and I-League structures to maintain Indian domestic football development.

AIFF proposed roadmap

Starting with the 2022/23 season, I-League will run as the second division competition of the Indian domestic football system.  

From the 2022/23 I-League season, the champions will advance to the next ISL season, the only first division competition of the Indian domestic football system since 2022/23. The champions will directly qualify for the ISL without requiring any participation fee, but they must need to meet the national club licensing criteria. However, these clubs will not be eligible for the central revenue share, which is a big concern of making huge financial differences between the old ISL clubs and new ISL clubs promoted from the I-League.

Also, ISL will follow the relegation process to the I-League from the 2024/25 season.

I-League clubs are unhappy with the roadmap

All the stakeholders reportedly agreed with the AIFF roadmap. However, Churchill Brothers CEO Valanka Alemao recently told the Times of India that the I-League clubs never supported this roadmap. She also calmed that they have neither agreed nor signed any document regarding the proposed roadmap.

Valanka told TOI, “I-League clubs have neither agreed nor signed any document. I-League clubs were clearly opposed to this roadmap.”

Not only the 2008/09 and 2012/13 I-League winners Churchill Brothers, but the last two seasons’ I-League winners Gokulam Kerala (2020/21 and 2021/22) have also reportedly opposed this AIFF roadmap. While the Supreme Court-appointed three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) is now handling the AIFF’s daily affairs, both these I-League clubs have reportedly registered their objections to the proposed roadmap.    

Valanka believes that the 12-14 teams aren’t the ideal number for top-tier domestic football due to having fewer days of matches. She believes that 18 teams would be ideal for the top division domestic football. She also pointed out players’ lack of intention to play for the I-League clubs due to no consideration for the national team selection.