The All India Football Federation will seek a year’s exemption from the Asian Football Confederation for expansion of the Indian Super Lea...
The All India Football Federation will seek a year’s exemption from the Asian Football Confederation for expansion of the Indian Super League, its top-tier league, as prescribed by the apex Asian body, The Times of India reported.
The AFC allotted the ISL a direct group stage spot in the AFC Champions League from next season, the entry criteria for which is a 27-match season that lasts for eight months.
“As has been discussed, the entry criteria of minimum 27 matches for ISL clubs and the minimum duration of eight months for domestic club football will be adhered to,” AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das had written in his letter to AFC head of competitions, Pavel Luzanov in February.
The ISL organisers too wanted an expanded season but the Covid-19 pandemic has cast doubts over the possibility of it for the 2020-21 campaign. The ISL thus will continue to be a 10-team competition next season with a league and playoff format.
The AIFF executive committee that met on Wednesday agreed with ISL’s contention that it may not be possible to have a 27-game league this season.
“We discussed a 27-match season for ISL, which is a requirement of the AFC for participating in Champions League. This year, because of the coronavirus pandemic, we will have to see whether we can do it...
