ISL Clubs' Fate Hangs in Balance as AIFF Awaits AFC's Decision on Reduced Matches
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In a developing situation, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is waiting for a response from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on whether Indian Super League (ISL) clubs will be awarded continental slots even if they don't meet the mandatory 24-match requirement this season. Indian teams hold two spots in the AFC Champions League Two, with one spot in the group stage for the ISL Shield winners and the other in the playoff round for Super Cup winners. However, the domestic top division clubs must play at least 24 matches to be eligible for the ACL 2. FC Goa, the Super Cup winners, are at risk of being disqualified from the ACL 2 playoff round if they fail to meet the match requirement. A meeting between ISL club representatives and the AIFF-appointed committee was held on Sunday to discuss the proposed new structure of the ISL. The AIFF is awaiting the AFC's response, which could be received as early as tomorrow. If the AFC allows ISL clubs to participate with a reduced number of matches, it would be considered a positive development. However, if the AFC refuses, the ISL is likely to proceed this season with a revised format, possibly featuring just two or three centralised venues instead of the traditional home-and-away format. The AIFF has proposed a new structure for the ISL, under which the league would be owned and operated by the national body for the next 20 seasons. The new proposal includes a promotion and relegation system, which was one of the key demands of the ISL clubs. However, the clubs have asked for two more days to discuss the proposal among themselves before responding to the AIFF. The ISL's future has been uncertain due to the ongoing contractual impasse between the league's former organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), and the AIFF. The Master Rights Agreement (MRA) expired on December 8, leading to a tender for ISL's commercial rights, which went unclaimed.
