Night before opener, suspense hangs over I-League start

PANAJI: Gokulam Kerala FC and SC Bengaluru have travelled for their away matches on the opening day of the I-League. The travelling fans too have packed their bags. But a letter from the I-League Clubs Association to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has put a huge question mark on the opening games.
According to the letter from the association comprising all I-League clubs, they have collectively decided that it is "no longer financially viable to play the league" as clubs are now being asked to pay for broadcast and no broadcaster has been finalised. "I-league clubs request you to send us confirmation of Sony Network as the official broadcaster of the I-League 24-25 by 8pm tonight, failing which I-League clubs will not commence the league as scheduled to commence tomorrow (Friday)," the club said in the letter late on Thursday. As expected, AIFF did not respond to the letter.
"It's an unauthorised organisation, not recognised by the federation," a senior AIFF official told TOI on Thursday. "We have not received any letter from any of the clubs so far. As far as we are concerned, the league is starting on Friday and all arrangements have been made. The clubs have asked for broadcast on Sony, and we are doing our best. Matches will be broadcast but right now I cannot name the channel."
Sreenidi Deccan FC will host Gokulam Kerala FC in Hyderabad at 4pm, while Inter Kashi take on debutants Sporting Club Bengaluru at Kalyani at 7pm in matches scheduled for Friday.