Kenkre FC to make I-League debut after AIFF disqualifies Chennai City

The former champions failed to meet AIFF's Club Licensing Regulations in time.

The AIFF Club Licensing Committee have taken strong exception to Chennai City FC for failing to comply with most of the mandatory AIFF Club Licensing Regulations for the forthcoming I-League 2021-22. Despite being given additional opportunity after assurances from the Club, including a detailed conference call, the club failed to comply with the regulations.

With the 2021-22 edition of the I-League scheduled to kick-off later this month in Kolkata, the Committee wasn’t in any position to give any more opportunities to the club, and henceforth, has unanimously decided to not grant the Exemption sought by the Chennai City FC, after having failed to receive the ICLS Premier 2 Licence of 2021-22 season. As a result of not receiving the Licence or the exemption, the club is thus barred from participating in I-League 2021-22.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Chennai City FC are also serving a FIFA transfer ban, which doesn’t allow them to sign players. The club won the I-League title under dramatic circumstances in the 2018-19 season and finished ninth last season.

In accordance with the powers vested, the AIFF League Committee proposed the name of Kenkre FC as a replacement for Chennai City FC in I-League 2021-22. This decision has been ratified by the AIFF Emergency Committee. Kenkre FC, who had finished second in the I-League Qualifiers (in October 2021 in Bengaluru), will be playing in I-League 2021-22.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Kenkre FC came second in the I-League Qualifiers behind Rajasthan United, who earned a promotion to the I-League, becoming the first side from the state to qualify the I-League. Kenkre FC now joins them in the second division of Indian football. Gokulam Kerala wo the I-League title last season.

The I-League will kick-off as slated, in Kolkata from December 26, 2021, and the fixtures will be officially announced soon.

For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.