New Delhi: With the future of the I-League filled with uncertainty, Minerva Punjab FC owner Ranjit Bajaj feels that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not done enough for the league and the clubs who are a part of the set-up.
He went on to explain that if Chennai City FC becomes the I-League champion this year, they will be representing India in the Asian Championship next year, but they will be playing in the second division in India as they cannot afford to pay the fee required to be a part of division one.
“AIFF is sold out. AIFF has sold its soul, sold Indian football, sold everything for 70 crores-a-year. They had a deal with Ten Sports and Zee Sports earlier,” said Balaji. “They were giving 50 crores a year just for marketing rights of I-League. And just for 20 crores more they have actually done the whole thing.”
When asked about where Indian football is headed from here, he made his apprehensions clear. “Actually it is going from bad to worse. ISL clubs are also in trouble, Mumbai is in problem, Kerala Blasters have not paid salaries for the last four months. North-East is also facing problems for the last three years,” he added.
“So, if they kill I-League and these ISL clubs are shut down, that means you basically killed Indian football,” Bajaj said.”They are talking about FSDL, FSDL means Football Sports Development Limited. But this way are they only trying to develop what they own? They will get money from that.”
“Star Sports also has a stake in ISL, they are also helping. If I-League does well then Star loses money,” he concluded.
PTI