Margao: The CEO of Churchill Brothers, Valanka Alemao, has condemned several aspects of the Indian Super League and urged All India Football Federation president Praful Patel to enforce regulations to protect Indian football.
“The presently held I-League is the example of professional football in India and this has been achieved after much hardship, struggle and combined efforts of talented players, the clubs they are associated with, and the AIFF,” Valanka said in a letter to Patel.
Attacking the Indian Super League, Valanka said that the AIFF should have been helping football clubs in arranging matches in various parts of the country to spot new talents and providing platforms for deserving players.
“Such purported league, Indian Super League, has no legal sanctity to it as the proposed league is in violation of binding FIFA/AFC principles, norms and regulations, and AIFF has grossly failed to perform its obligations and is in violation of the set norms there under,” Valanka alleged.
Alleging that the “illegal” ISL will result in “downgrading” the stature of the I-League, Valanka said the ISL is in fact prejudicial to interests of players and clubs.
Valanka also objected to the proposed auctioning of players in the ISL.
“As per the FIFA regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, there is no system of auctioning. FIFA only recognises engaging and releasing players. The proposed Indian Super League contemplates acquiring players, already associated with clubs,” Valanka said.
Valanka expressed apprehension that on the lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL), whose last season was marred by a spot-fixing and betting scandal, the ISL will also face the same predicaments.
“Such purported league will only add to betting, fixing and unlawful activities in this game, which appears to serve only vested interests,” Valanka said.
Super League delay a blow to footballers
Meanwhle, attention has been drawn to the plight of the Indian footballers who signed up for the IMG-Reliance-promoted tournament.
The postponement of the inaugural Super League has left the footballers in the lurch.
A few of them still might find their way into the I-League while the others will have to fend for themselves.
I-League CEO Sunando Dhar has thrown a lifeline to some of these players promising to absorb them in the national Pro-league.
IMG-R, the marketing arm of the AIFF and the I-League clubs have been on a collision course right from the day the idea of the Indian Super League was floated over the release of Indian players for the IPL-style pop show.
There appeared signs of a breakthrough with United SC and Mohammedan Sporting striking a deal with the Super League organisers for a give-and-take of players.
United have agreed to release eight of their top players while Mohameddan Sporting will get five IMG-Reliance players, including their former star and India defender Syed Rahim Nabi.
However, the other clubs have stood firm in their opposition to the tournament.
United SC, it should be noted, is struggling financially, while Mohammedan have just qualified for the top tier of the I-League, with their financial position unknown.
The I-League CEO hoped more players would be absorbed by the I-League clubs.
“The good and talented players should have no problem in walking into the I-League clubs,” Dhar said.
“The good players will definitely be grabbed by the clubs, the problem is with the fringe players,” he said.
This is the second time the highly touted league has been postponed.
It was to start in January 2013, but was postponed for a year and now again it has been deferred by another nine months.
Dhar feels these are only teething problems and it would be good for the league to sort out all the issues before the kick-off.
“When a tournament of this magnitude is planned, there are always teething problems, it’s good that these issues have cropped up now, before the start of the event,” said Dhar.
Dhar though gives a positive twist to the postponement of the league, saying the organisers and the clubs will now have a chance to iron out the issues.
“The postponement could be a blessing in disguise. I-League clubs and IMG-R can sort out the issues.
“Hopefully we can see more I-League players when the tournament kicks off in September,” Dhar added. (Agencies)