The All India Football Federation (AIFF) remains undecided about relegation from the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) but has confirmed the same from the I-League. Manipur-based NEROCA FC and TRAU FC, having finished at the bottom with 14 and 13 points respectively, were slated for relegation. They were set to be replaced by SC Bengaluru and Dempo SC, the top two teams from I-League II.
AIFF imposes relegation in I-LEAGUE 2023-24
In May, the I-League Committee recommended the relegation of NEROCA FC and TRAU FC based on their results. Both clubs had requested to relocate their away matches against Aizawl FC to a neutral venue. When the request was denied, they refused to travel to Aizawl for their April matches, leading the AIFF to cancel the games.
In response, the federation decided to enforce relegation in the I-League for the 2023-24 season, ignoring a request from Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh for exemption, citing ethnic unrest in the state.
“The All India Football Federation has decided to impose relegation in the I-League 2023-24 as per the rules and regulations,” the AIFF stated in a release. The AIFF is also now dealing with pressure from I-League clubs demanding the implementation of relegation from the ISL starting next season, as per the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) roadmap.
Will relegation be implemented in ISL 2024-25?
While the AIFF has full authority over the I-League, the ISL is owned and managed by the AIFF’s marketing partner, FSDL, making the implementation of relegation more complex. The AIFF has sought guidance from the AFC and plans to meet with I-League club representatives to discuss the matter, though no date has been set. The federation is also awaiting FSDL’s input before finalizing a decision. “We will take a call on that soon. We still have some time to decide on it,” AIFF’s acting general secretary M Satyanarayan told News9 Sports.
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has previously hinted that relegation might not start in the ISL from the 2024-25 season.
Promotion in the ISL began in 2023-24 according to the AFC roadmap, with Punjab FC becoming the first I-League champions to move up. Mohammedan Sporting is set to be the second team, pending clearance of all licensing requirements.
