Indian Super League and I-League to Merge

The Asian Football Confederation released a press statement saying that both the Indian Super League and the I-League should be merged from next season. AFC General Secretary Dato Windsor John said that the simultaneous running of ISL and I-League this season is a temporary adjustment. Both leagues will be merged together next season. Windsor said “It’s not a question of what we are favouring or not. It’s in the AFC Constitution that one country should have one league. We just gave provision (for two leagues) for a transition period. That’s all”.

The ISL and I-League are running simultaneously this season as teams like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal failed to have agreement over the franchise fee required to join the ISL. Windsor stressed on the importance of their legacies. The AFC are aware of their contribution to Indian football. These clubs are responsible for keeping Indian football alive.

The Indian Super League-I League Merger Explained

“There were some experts here who have prepared the report, which I’ve not seen yet. On one side, you have the legacy clubs on the other side there are the modern ISL clubs. I’ve to see the report, sit with ISL and discuss what needs to be done. How do we take the best of both for Indian football that should be the focal point rather than talking about the merger,” said the AFC General Secretary.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das, who accompanied the top AFC official, said that there will be only one league from next season but clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will have to pay the participation fees.

Das said “There will be one league, we will make all the efforts to have one league from next season. They have to make a choice. They (Mohun Bagan and East Bengal) have to pay up participation fees. It can’t be compromised”. He added that franchise fees and participation fees are two different things and the participation fees amount to ₹15 crores.

There had been a lot of controversy surrounding the leagues and its structures for some time. We hope that the AFC have a permanent solution on the issue with this decision. With one league structure coming up from next season, football fans can hope to see their favourite clubs Mohun Bagan and East Bengal facing top clubs in Indian Super League.