Chennai City, Minerva Punjab walking tightrope in row with AIFF

Published at :June 29, 2019 at 2:04 PM

Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM

(Courtesy : I-League)

The clubs signed an agreement with the federation that restricts them from taking legal action in the matter.

Direct entrants such as Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC will be left without much choice if the AIFF decides to shut shop on the I-League or relegate it, at their executive committee meeting on July 9, reports The Times of India.

According to the daily, the clubs in question signed an agreement with the apex body when they were given permission to play in the league, which states, "the club agrees that AIFF shall not be held responsible in any way, if the agreement is terminated in the event I-League ceases to exist or is merged with or reconstituted to form a part of any other league."

When asked about the agreement, Minerva Punjab co-owner Ranjit Bajaj explained, "I am not denying that there may be such a clause, but that does not take away our right to fight for a place in the top league. All that we are saying is, 'show us a pathway to the top.'

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"I don't mind if we are pushed to the fifth division, but how is it fair that even if we become a champion of a league below ISL, we do not get to move to the top. We were never told about the MRA and AIFF's compulsions (while signing the agreement). Why would I invest otherwise?" he asked.

I am not denying that there may be such a clause but that do ..

"I am not denying that there may be such a clause but that d ..

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Since reports have come out stating that the AIFF plans to make the Indian Super League (ISL) the top tier league in the country after their executive committee meeting, clubs like Minerva Punjab have taken a firmer stance than before against the federation, especially on social media.

A few days ago, an anonymous AIFF official also claimed, "the I-League clubs don’t have a legal option to file a case against AIFF." Since then, Bajaj has taken to social media to exclusively reveal the contents of what he claims to be AIFF's Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with IMG-R. Chennai City have written to the federation seeking an invite to the Executive Committee meet next month. Meanwhile, AIFF President Praful Patel has agreed to meet with the I-League clubs on July 3.