AIFF President Praful Patel puts meeting with I-League clubs in doubt after Super Cup mass pullout

Indian football's apex body's head honcho had promised to meet the desenting top flight clubs earlier in March.

After being elected as part of the FIFA Council at Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel questioned the need for any meeting he had promised the I-League clubs regarding the future of Indian football.

The AFC Senior Vice-President won his seat in the prestigious council in record-breaking fashion, winning 38 out of the 46 votes at the 29th AFC Congress. Following his historic achievement, Patel put emphasis on how his appointment will help India get a place on the footballing map.

He said, “This signifies India’s place in World Football. This will give us more voice. We would look to get more tournaments, international friendlies, exposure for our kids.” Moreover, he also assured that this will help give a boost to football education, coaching and providing more exposure to the Indian players abroad.

However, when asked about the controversial topic surrounding the mass walkover in Super Cup games due to the I-League club unrelenting to participate in it, Patel showed extreme displeasure. He said, “Despite my busy schedule because of the general elections back home and today’s FIFA Council, I assured them that I would meet them from April 11th to 14th. But despite my assurances, they acted in a manner that is unbecoming of sportsmanship.”

What point is of having this meeting now that is unbecoming of sportsmanship?” he further added. Patel also gave further reassurances regarding  how his intentions are for the betterment of Indian football, saying, “Regarding the future road-map of Indian football, we are all working hard in the right direction, I can assure you all.”

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It seems this cold war between the alliance of I-League clubs and the AIFF has taken a new turn. After as many as nine I-League clubs decided to walk out of the Super Cup in unison, as many as five round of 16 encounters did not take place. This sparked outrage from some of the Indian Super League(ISL) clubs as well, who voiced displeasure for having to spend resources to make the match, only to see it given as a walkover.

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While Patel had reassured the I-League clubs that he would listen to their plans of an appropriate roadmap for the future of Indian Football, that seems to be up in the air now. The newly elected FIFA Council member has a lot of job on his hands now, be it deciding on who will be the national team’s new manager to constructing the blueprint of a proper road-map.

Time is running out for both parties. The AIFF have to come up with a proper top-league of Indian Football by the start of the 2019/20 season or risk getting a ban from FIFA. The I-League clubs have to come up with better solutions or see themselves being reduced to the second-division despite not actually been relegated. The next months will be crucial, but the potential calling off for the crunch meeting could be a big blow for the I-League alliance.