Report: Lockdown extension may cause AIFF to cancel leagues

The situation in the country is grim as the governing body is working towards a solution to find a reasonable end to the leagues.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been caught in a difficult situation after the lockdown extension till May 3 was announced to tackle the coronavirus pandemic spread in India. With no sporting activities possible during or immediately after it is lifted, the federation might be left with no other choice but to cancel all the leagues for the season.

The federation has stated that it’s increasingly difficult that football will be played again this season and could announce the cancellation of all the leagues very soon. AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das spoke about the matter to the Times of India before the lockdown extension and said, “It looks very difficult (for football), but let’s wait for the Prime Minister’s announcement and then the I-League committee can take a call.”

Das along with the top officials of 13 other national sports federations held a conference call with Sports Secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya last week, where it was made clear that not even training camps can take place before July.

These camps normally have more than 30-35 people in them, so every sport authority has been made clear that it cannot take place. That rules out the possibility of a competitive football match to even take place behind closed doors because of the number of bodies present even without the fans themselves.

“We were told these are tough times. Even if restrictions are removed post April 30, there is no guarantees that sports activities would be allowed.”

The I-League itself is done and dusted, as Mohun Bagan have already been crowned champions and there are only a few rounds remaining to finish the season. If the campaign is cancelled, the Mariners would be given their trophy and the prize money would be distributed among the teams from second to sixth. No team would be relegated into the second division.

When it comes to the second division, which is still in its group stages, there could be a solution which would see the likes of Mohammedan Sporting, ARA FC, Garhwal FC and Bengaluru United given the chance to play the qualifiers for promotion somewhere around August.

The youth leagues are unlikely to be completed and will be cancelled altogether because of the various risks involved with the spread of the virus. However, the I-League and the AIFF are likely to come up with a decision regarding all its leagues later this week.

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