New Delhi, Dec 21: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday constituted separate committees to address proposals concerning the future structure of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League, following discussions at its Executive Committee (ExCo) and Annual General Body (AGM) meetings held at Football House in New Delhi.
Both meetings were chaired by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.
A proposal regarding the future management of the ISL, submitted by 10 clubs, was placed before the AGM by Vinay Chopra, CEO of Mohun Bagan Super Giant. However, amid mixed reactions from the General Body over the clubs’ request to manage the league in perpetuity, the federation decided to appoint a three-member committee to work towards a consensus.
The committee comprises Kerala Football Association President Navas Meeran, Goa Football Association President Caitano Fernandes, and Indian Football Association (West Bengal) Secretary Anirban Datta, with AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan serving as an ex-officio member. The panel will hold consultations with representatives of five clubs — Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, Delhi SC, NorthEast United FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant — between December 22 and 29.
The committee’s mandate is to arrive at a solution that strictly adheres to the AIFF Constitution as upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
The General Body also considered representations from I-League clubs and approved the formation of a separate three-member committee to examine their concerns. This committee includes Andhra Pradesh Football Association President Kotagiri Sridhar, Mizoram Football Association Honorary Secretary Lalrengpuia, and Punjab Football Association Honorary Secretary Harjinder Singh, who will work alongside the AIFF Deputy Secretary General.
The federation stated that it may consult FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), if required, to study how similar league-related issues have been handled in other countries.
Observers from FIFA and the AFC, Prince Rufus and Niren Mukherjee respectively, were present during the proceedings and reiterated that the AIFF Constitution remains the supreme governing framework for all decisions.
During the meeting, formal objection letters submitted by Executive Committee members Avijit Paul and Valanka Alemao, as well as by East Bengal FC Director Debabrata Sarkar on behalf of Emami East Bengal FC, were placed on record.
Additionally, in line with constitutional requirements, the General Body approved the appointment of retired Supreme Court and High Court judges, a former Chief Election Commissioner, and senior IPS and DGP officials as Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of the AIFF’s Independent Judiciary Committees.