End uncertainty on I-League status: Sporting to AIFF
Appeal made to clubs for retention in 2010-11
HERALD SPORTS DESK
PANJIM, AUG 3
Sporting Clube de Goa has appealed to AIFF to confirm their place in the I-League at the meeting of I-League clubs to be held on August 4 in New Delhi.
Sporting’s vice-president, Victor Fernandes in a statement released to the press on Tuesday, “We had written to the AIFF putting forth our case for confirmation of our place in the I-League 2010-11 and one of the items on the agenda of the meeting on Wednesday is to discuss the same as well as the representations received from three other clubs.”
We are not in a position to personally present our case as unfortunately, we have not been invited for the meeting. Hence we make this appeal to you to support our cause,” pleaded Victor.
Victor, arguing his case pointed out, “It is an accepted principle world over that teams which are disbanded/withdrawn stand relegated and their place goes to the team, which otherwise, but for the withdrawal/disbandment would have been relegated.”
“We would like to quote you two examples of how relegation was dealt with following the withdrawal of teams, in some member countries of AFC – In Malaysia in 2010 two teams UBP MyTeam and Kaula Muda withdrew from the Super League. Pahang the second last placed team which would have faced relegation otherwise, was allowed to continue in the league.”
“In Uzbekistan in 2007 and 2008, the second last placed teams were given reprieves due to withdrawal of teams from the top league.”
“We also have the precedent of Fransa Pax FC in NFL 2005-06 where Fransa withdrew and disbanded their team at the halfway stage. The only difference between then and now is that Fransa disbanded their team midway and did not play the remaining matches, unlike Mahindra who announced their disbandment midway but completed their matches.”
The AIFF has confirmed the participation of the U-19 team in the I-League 2010-11. But it is not clear whether this team is in addition to the present 14 teams – there is no clarity on the effects of the introduction of this team on the relegation scenario, said Victor.
Victor remarked that the idea of U-19 team was first mooted after Mahindra’s announcement. “We admit that it is AIFF’s prerogative to field the U-19 team in the I-League. But, does doing so, in place of our team, serve the larger interests of Indian Football? The answer is a no. Especially under the present circumstances when one high profile and long standing team has disbanded, when another is likely to follow suit, when there are at least three clubs who have not yet fulfilled the AFC Club licencing criteria, when the interests of Indian football demand a team like Sporting Clube de Goa.”
Though the pros and cons of directly introducing the U-19 team are debatable, there is no doubt whatsoever that doing so at the cost of denying our club its legitimate place in the I-League, would be a gross injustice, Victor stressed.
Victor questioned the wisdom pf the AIFF in putting their resources, in raising and maintaining teams which means duplicating what the clubs are doing. The same money can be deployed in other critical areas, he felt.
Sporting has also written the letter seeking support from other I-Clubs, since they have a squad of 45 players to sustain. He disclosed that they are not against the principle of mainataing that in case they were placed anywhere else below 12th place after Mahindra’s disbandment, they would not have raised this issue at all. “So, please do not club our case with those of others whose requests for a place in the I-League are being considered,” Victor concluded.
Victor, concluded: “In the unlikely event we are wrongly denied our rightful place in the I-League, then, we will be left with no other choice but, to give a serious thought about our future in Indian football.”
The faith of Sporting, Shillong Lajong, Vasco Club and Mohammedan Sporting will be discussed tomorrow.
