The All India Football Federation (AIFF) final draft constitution has reportedly mentioned I-League as the senior most top division league.
The Supreme Court-appointed three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) has set up the AIFF’s final draft constitution. Last Wednesday (13th July), they sent this final draft to state associations and FIFA. That draft claimed that AIFF should own, operate, recognise and directly manage the senior most top-division league.
It stated, “Senior-most top division league shall mean the league competition owned, operated, recognised and directly managed by the AIFF, that implements the principles of promotion and relegation, and meets all requirements prescribed by the AFC for being eligible to obtain a direct slot in the Asian Champions League.”
The CoA has also confirmed submitting the AIFF draft constitution to the honourable Supreme Court last Friday (15th July) for its approval.
ISL and I-League structures according to old AIFF roadmap
In 2019, AIFF set up the roadmap, which claimed that ISL would be the only top division football league in India from the 2022/23 season. From the same season, the I-League would drop to the second division competition of the Indian domestic football system.
From the 2022/23 season, the I-League champions will directly qualify for the next ISL season without paying any participation fee (must need to meet the national club licensing criteria). But these clubs will also be ineligible for the central revenue share. ISL relegation to the I-League can only follow from the 2024/25 season.
However, according to media reports, the I-League teams, including the two-time champions Gokulam Kerala and Churchill Brothers, have completely opposed that roadmap.
Final draft constitution and issue with FSDL
Coming back to the present AIFF final draft constitution, I-League can continue its position as the top-tier competition in the Indian domestic football system if it remains unchallenged on 21st July.
However, there is a big chance that at least Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the marketing partner of the AIFF, will oppose this final draft constitution.
In 2010, FSDL and AIFF had a Master Rights Agreement (MRA) of INR 700 crore for 15 years. That agreement claimed, “New league (now known as ISL) would be the most senior and prestigious football league in India.”
That MRA further added that the existing league (I-League) could be reconstituted, replaced and/or discontinued (temporarily or permanently).
