The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday informed its general body members that the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) will commence on September 4. During the virtually held Special General Meeting (SGM), no resolution was reached regarding the proposed club-led model for the ISL.
Delayed Decision on Club-Led Model
On Friday, the AIFF wrote to commercial rights bidder Genius Sports, notifying it of the postponement of the final decision. The national body also clarified that Indian football is poised to adopt a different financial structure.
Under the new arrangement, the AIFF and ISL clubs reached a consensus last week following a meeting with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The model, intended to run for four years, suggests the creation of a separate entity to manage the league, with clubs taking the lead. The AIFF will oversee logistics and operations and receive Rs 16 crore annually under this setup.
As the AIFF awaits a response from Genius Sports, the proposal has yet to be ratified by the general body. It is expected to be discussed next week by the ISL Managing Committee, which includes club representatives and three AIFF officials.
AIFF Considers Name Change
In an intriguing development, the AIFF is also contemplating a name change to Football Federation of Bharat (FFB). TimesofIndia.com understands that the idea was raised during the SGM. However, the process is not straightforward, as it requires approval from the Executive Committee before being forwarded to the Sports Ministry.
During the SGM, the football calendar was also addressed, with the ISL scheduled to begin on September 4 and the Durand Cup at the end of July.
