`Come what may’ NFL from Dec 10

New Delhi, November 26: Despite the tension due to the `revolt' by a few clubs, the All India Football Federation is trying to put up a br...

New Delhi, November 26: Despite the tension due to the `revolt’ by a few clubs, the All India Football Federation is trying to put up a brave face. And, though AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi is having sleepless nights, he is not willing to let things meander that easy.

In a hurriedly-called meeting of the National Football League (NFL) organising committee, which also had representatives from the six states conducting the tournament, the AIFF decided to be clear on its stand on the issue of NFL.

The outcome of the two-hour long meeting was that the league, according to Dasmunshi, will be held as scheduled from December 10 “come what may.” The state associations have been asked to re-confirm the participation of their endorsed teams by December 4 while the defaulting teams will face disciplinary action.

Story continues below this ad

As a precautionery measure, the AIFF also announced a list of five stand-by teams who will replace those withdrawing from the NFL. The basis of including these five teams — BSF (Jallandhar), Dempo Sports Club, Mohd Sporting, HAL (Bangalore) and Indian Bank — is in accordance with the relegation order of first and second division of the last edition of NFL.

“It was a unanimous decision and AIFF is totally united on the issue”, Dasmunshi said adding that he had no malice and prejudice against anyone and hoped that the sponsors who were at the moment maintaining a distance due to the controversy will come back.

Dasmunshi informed that so far none of the clubs have given in writing to withdraw from the NFL, “that’s why we have asked them to confirm in writing,” he added.

On the issues of controversy with the top nine clubs, who have united to form a group, Dasmunshi said that the AIFF was willing to sit and sort out the problems and showed willingness to negotiate on certain issues.

Story continues below this ad

As for the coverage by Doordarshan, Dasmunshi said that he had a dialogue with the senior officials in DD who have promised a better promotional campaign and coverage this time to “make football look more attractive on television”.

ANJAN Mitra, the secretary of Mohun Bagan, who also attended the NFL meeting, remained indifferent throughout. He neither opposed the decisions nor agreed to it. In fact, he said that he will convey his views after discussing the matter with his “friends”.

But, he said that if things do not get worked out then neither Mohun Bagan nor any of the other clubs who are part of the Indian Premier Football Association will release their players for the Millennium Super Soccer Cup scheduled to be held at Calcutta in January next year.