Team Herald
MARGAO: Churchill Brothers President Churchill Alemao said that it’s the end of Indian football if ISL is made India’s top league.
“The I-League should be the top-tier league in the country and not ISL. After 25 years, you cannot write-off a league for another league which started just five years back. And if you are calling ISL as the professional league then they (AIFF) are trying to finish Indian football. It’s the end of football if ISL is made India’s top tier league,” explained Churchill.
Churchill complained that the All India Football Federation had made an agreement with FSDL during the tenure of Albert Colaco as the General Secretary. “ The agreement was signed for Rs 700 Cr for 15 years to I-League clubs. That means they (AIFF) should have given atleast 70cr to the I-league clubs every year. But in the last five years, they haven’t given even 30cr. Infact AIFF gives just 45 lakh as allowances for travel which include tickets and accommodation,” added Churchill
“Indian Super League is not a professional league it is only an entertainment. They brought retired footballers and also roped in film actors and made them ambassadors and this was all done for business purpose,” stated Churchill.
“ISL cannot produce football players. The I-league clubs has produced 200-300 players. Today out of the 10 teams playing in the ISL, there are atleast four former Churchill Brothers players playing for them. Like I said before, it’s the I-League clubs which have been creating and producing players. Today ISL is taking away players produced by I-League,” added Churchill.
Churchill added the earlier I-League clubs challenged some of the big Asian clubs and even reached the finals (Bengaluru FC).
“We and other clubs thought to move to the court with this issue regarding the status of the two leagues in the country,” added Churchill.
“Super League cannot be ISL. India’s premier league is the I-League and not ISL. Till date, clubs like Dempo SC, JCT, East Bengal etc have spent crore of rupees but AIFF haven’t spent even 300cr. The AIFF is getting everybody (old clubs) on the streets because of the 700cr they received from FSDL,” added Churchill.
“ISL is a business. They are charging Rs 15 crore fees. ISL is commercialised and if I-League was also commercialised then today India would have come up in football,” explained Churchill.
Churchill also highlighted that at one point the Indian national team had maximum players from the Goan teams.
Churchill Alemao, who is also the president of the Goa Football Association has asked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to give a grant of Rs 5 to the State football association. “I hope CM will make some provision in the budget as I want to help small clubs,” added Churchill.
