Kolkata: As the All India Football Federation (AIFF) prepares to discuss a potential club-led model for the future operation and commercialization of the Indian Super League (ISL) next week, East Bengal Club has submitted a series of proposals aimed at restructuring the Indian football season with a "globally-aligned, competitive and merit-based" ecosystem.
East Bengal's Stance
Interestingly, while all other ISL clubs are on board with the push for a club-led model, East Bengal FC has decided to stay away from it. The red-and-gold club has instead sent several suggestions of their own to the federation ahead of its scheduled special general meeting on May 23. The AIFF top brass is also likely to meet representatives of ISL clubs a day earlier.
Key Proposals
According to East Bengal's proposed structure, all top-tier clubs should "mandatorily" participate in four major tournaments in a season: the top league, Federation Cup, Durand Cup, and IFA Shield. The club has also called for the national league to be rebranded as the Indian Football League, with at least 16 teams and a minimum of 30 matches per team. They propose eliminating the playoff format, allowing only the final league standings to determine the champion, and introducing promotion and relegation.
Financial and Player Regulations
East Bengal's proposals include a categorization of players with different salary structures and a team budget cap of Rs 25 crore per season. Additionally, they suggest a foreign player policy of four per squad and three on the field.
Expert Opinion
"Indian football is standing at a crossroads, and East Bengal's proposals submitted to the AIFF point to the kind of clarity every football fan is seeking," said former India goalkeeper and captain Bhaskar Ganguly. "It's quite saddening to notice what is going on in Indian football, and even a decade after the introduction of a franchise-based league, the game seems to be stuck in a limbo. The quicker this air of uncertainty gets cleared, the better," he added. Ganguly had been a member of the Supreme Court-appointed committee of administrators tasked with formulating the draft constitution of the AIFF.
Summary of East Bengal's Proposals
- National league structure: 16 teams with 30 matches each, no playoffs, league standings to decide winner, introduction of promotion and relegation.
- Mandatory participation for top teams: ISL (or proposed IFL), Federation Cup, Durand Cup, and IFA Shield.
- Federation Cup format: 16 teams in 4 groups, home-and-away group stage.
- Team budget: Rs 25 crore per season.
- Foreign player policy: 4 per squad and 3 on field.
