PANAJI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is battling a revolt from I-League clubs and some of its own executive committee members, but remain confident that the league will kick off, as scheduled, on Nov 22. The I-League Clubs Association told the AIFF on Thursday that clubs have collectively decided to boycott the I-League, unless the federation confirms the broadcast agreement, "ensuring that the first match and all subsequent games are televised as promised".
"We believe this decision is necessary to uphold the integrity and professional standards of the league and protect the interest of our clubs, players and supporters," Delhi FC owner Ranjit Bajaj, on behalf of the clubs, wrote to AIFF secretary general Anilkumar Prabhakaran.
A day earlier, the clubs had raised concerns over the reduction in number of players to be registered from 35 to 30 and uncertainty over fixtures — clubs were informed by AIFF officials not to book flight tickets as fixtures might still change — even after being formally announced.
"There is no change in the schedule so far and the plan is for the I-League to start on Friday," Anilkumar told TOI.
"Since we have started the procedure of awarding the RFP (for commercial rights), there was a delay. We should be able to make a formal announcement latest by Monday. We are working on a war footing; everything will be resolved."
While clubs are understandably unhappy over the delay in announcing the broadcaster, AIFF executive members are understood to be unhappy that the procedure of floating tenders and inviting bids was done without their knowledge. That the tender is being awarded only after one company bid is also being questioned.
"The AIFF wrote to its executive committee members seeking approval request for broadcasting matches but many of them are in the dark over details of the contract.
"It is known that the terms of fee payment have been divided into four instalments of 25% each but the amount has not been disclosed," said a senior official. The AIFF has now convened a virtual meeting of its executive committee on Monday.
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