Image Credit: @PTI
Once again the debate over the merger of I-league and ISL came to life when AIFF’s vice president Subrata Dutta and Delhi Dynamos FC owner Rohan Sharma hinted towards the same.
While talking to a renowned media house, AIFF’s vice-president Subrata Dutta said that the association is taking a step towards restructuring the game in India.
It may include some big decisions. Subrata also cleared the cloud over allowing Churchill Brothers to feature in another season after a devastating performance in a row.
Dutta said, there is no harm in retaining Churchill Brothers if we all are aiming to streamline the game from all the perspectives.
If we relegate Churchill Brothers, then we will lose the connection with West India.
Delhi Dynamos’ owner Rohan Sharma issued oblique in the matter of much-awaited merger of the two famed leagues of football in India.
Rohan said we might see some ISL clause to get scrapped in the next season regarding development.
FIFA is creating pressure to unite the leagues, and AIFF is working on the logistics.
ISL charges a franchise fee which every team has to pay before entering into the competitions while some teams of I-League cannot afford to pay a massive amount of 15 crores as a fee which led to the separation yet.
“ I know Super Cup showed that some I-League teams could be as good as ISL teams but that is only so much. I would expect to see the merger soon, maximum two years”, Added Rohan Sharma, Owner Delhi Dynamos.
East Bengal player Lalrindika Ralte walked an extra mile and said, he and his team will try to get the title of I- league this season because it may be their last appearance in the league. Ralte added, he also heard about East Bengal’s move to ISL.
The debate is ignited as ISL accepted Bengaluru FC in the league which opened the door for other clubs.