Asian Games: FSDL responds to AIFF request to delay ISL start

FSDL will however, continue to work on optimal outcomes with AIFF.

The Blue Tigers played a heroic draw 2-2 against Iraq in their semi-final clash of the 49th King’s Cup at the Chiang Mai stadium in Thailand. After completing the King’s Cup, Igor Stimac and Co’s next project will be the 2023 Asian Games in China.

But things haven’t gone as planned for the Blue Tigers. The 2023 Asian Games kicks off on September 19, two days before the ISL opener. And since the Asian Games dates fall outside the FIFA window and are also clashing with the ISL, all ISL clubs have refused to release their players.

With the clubs refusing to let go of their players for national duty, Igor Stimac is left with very few options to choose from. For example, Bengaluru FC have informed the AIFF about the unavailability of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu for the Asian Games as both their backup keepers are injured.

AIFF President speaks

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has requested the FSDL and all clubs regarding the postponement of the Indian Super League by 10 days, which will be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

“I’ll be speaking to people in the FSDL to defer the league by 10 days and start it sometime in October so that we can field a full-strength team at the Asiad. The honour of representing the country on the global stage is above all. The national interest should come first and that’s what I would try to explain to clubs and FSDL,” he told TOI.

He further added, “It's a win-win situation for everyone (if the ISL is postponed by 10 days) and cooperation from everyone is required. The clubs can start the league with their full squads without having to miss out on their services. So, instead of the September 21 start, get the league underway, possibly after 10 days. This explanation by clubs that the Asian Games falls outside the FIFA international match window can’t form the basis to deny our players a chance to represent the nation on the global stage.”

He also told TOI that, “One must understand that India comes first. I’ll speak to the club owners in my personal capacity as an AIFF President to release the players in the national interest. The AIFF understands why clubs are reluctant to release their players. The federation doesn’t want a situation where the franchises have to compete in the league with ‘incomplete squads’. But, no club is bigger than the nation. That’s the bottom line. So, deferring the league is the only logical option available to them and it’s a request from the AIFF President. If need be, I’ll formally write to FSDL in this regard.”

FSDL’s response

In response to Kalyan Chaubey’s request to postpone the league’s opener by 10 days, the league’s organisers FSDL have issued a clarification regarding the issue. 

A FSDL spokesperson has said that the approval to begin the league on September 21 was given by all stakeholders, including the AIFF and based on that the final calendar was made.

“The ISL 10 season scheduled to begin on September 21st has been created and approved with extensive consultations involving all stakeholders, including the AIFF. Based on the recommendations of AIFF on the league window, the final start dates were calendarised,” said the spokesperson.

They further added that all the stakeholders have formally agreed to the schedule, which includes a necessary break for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup.

“All stakeholders have formally agreed to the schedule's dates and structure, which incorporates necessary breaks to accommodate FIFA windows and break for the AFC Asian Cup,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also mentioned that the calendar has been designed keeping all the factors in mind and there’s no room for any further changes, but still the FSDL will do everything to reach a satisfactory solution with the AIFF. 

“Given the packed football calendar the season schedule has been designed to consider all these factors leaving no scope of postponement of the tournament at this stage. FSDL will continue to work out optimal outcomes with the AIFF,” the spokesperson concluded.