The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has taken the decision to postpone the return of the prestigious Federation Cup by a year. AIFF will move ahead with the Super Cup this season, with an eye on Federation Cup return from the 2024-25 season.
The Federation Cup, which started in 1977, held its last edition in 2017. Super Cup replaced the tournament the following year.
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Initially, the AIFF planned to resurrect the Federation Cup in July for the 2023-24 season, in the hopes of restoring its prestige, as the Super Cup, its successor competition, had not earned the same degree of respect among participating clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League.
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The AIFF executive committee had originally planned for it to run between seasons, alongside the ISL and the I-League. The AIFF has deferred the legacy tournament’s return to the 2024-25 season due to a congested timetable, a conflict between club and national team commitments, and pre-existing marketing partner commitments. This date and timing of the return are yet to be determined.
“The Super Cup will be persisted with in 2023-24 as schedule and broadcast commitments were put in motion from before. From the 2024-25 season, the Federation Cup will make a reappearance,” an undisclosed AIFF official told News9 Sports.
The ISL clubs are not too keen to play in Super Cup as its an end-of-season tournament.
The AIFF is looking for a suitable window to hold the Super Cup. It could be forced to hold towards the end of the season again.
It is worthy remembering that Mohun Bagan are the record 14-time Fed Cup champions. Bengaluru FC won the last edition before it was scrapped to make way for the Super Cup.
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