The All India Football Federation (AIFF) seems to have finally reconciled to the fact that most of the I-League clubs have failed to adhere by the licensing guidelines. The national body has now set a deadline — till June next year, before the next edition of the I-League — for compliance. AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco said that clubs failing to fulfil the criteria of having a professional coach, youth teams, contractual players and sound infrastructure before the next edition’s main draw is made, will face stern action from the federation’s executives.“Hopefully the clubs will fulfil the criteria before the draw,” Colaco said. Surprisingly, out of the 12 clubs participating in second division I-League, five clubs — Pune FC, Chirag United, Vasco Sports Club, Mumbai FC and Amity have already fulfilled the criteria that many of the top clubs have failed in. Colaco made it clear that if a second division club got promoted to the Elite group then they would be barred if they failed to fulfil the criteria. A delegation from the Asian Football Confederation’s Pro-League Committee will visit India in April and is expected to convene a workshop to advise clubs about what is required.
