The turf war over the property rights of the I-League between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the clubs continues. As things stand, the league is AIFF property and if it has to be delinked, as demanded by the clubs, it requires a constitutional amendment.
AIFF's marketing partner IMG-Reliance told the league committee meeting Thursday that it needs time to come up with a blueprint to satisfy all stakeholders.
"The AIFF, clubs and IMG-Reliance have in principle agreed that the I-league should be made a separate legal entity but if it has to be delinked some legal ramifications have to be addressed first as it is the property of the AIFF and registered under the Societies Act. The clubs wanted a vote on the issue, but that was not possible constitutionally and the meeting was adjourned without taking any concrete decision," committee chairman Subrata Dutta told IANS.
The clubs feel an independent governing council can run the league professionally and efficiently even if the AIFF loses its hold on it.
A club representative said: "We want the I-league to be a legal entity so that It can be run professionally and efficiently. The IMG-Reliance wants more time to come up with a viable blueprint."
During the meeting IMG-Reliance also made a presentation on a road map for Indian football but the AIFF and clubs were not convinced about its efficacy.
A club official told IANS that "it was too sketchy and far from constructive."
"The presentation proposed a IPL-style football tournament involving city-based teams run by corporate franchises, but there are loopholes in the structure," the official said.
It was decided that a core committee comprising members of the AIFF, its technical director Rob Bann and club officials will come up with a plan to improve the I-League and also the best way to have a city-based football tournament.
During the meeting IMG-Reliance also proposed a state-of-the-art football academy in Baroda.
During the meeting the clubs also demanded reimbursement of Rs.20 lakhs each to the clubs outstanding since 2007-08.
"The amount is long over due and the finance committee will take a call on it," said Dutta.