The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been forced to postpone the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers preparatory camp. This follows teams’ refusal to release players over a month before the qualifiers begin. The AIFF had planned for the preparatory camp to start on August 12 in Bhubaneswar. The federation has now postponed the commencement of the camp until August 20. Although Asian Games 2023 are far off, it is still a concern.
ISL clubs request AIFF to reconsider mandate to release players for national camp
“With the ongoing Durand Cup, and based on the responses from ISL clubs due to pre-season. We have postponed the India under-23 camp to August 20 from August 12 at Bhubaneswar. The list of players remains the same,” AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran wrote to all clubs .
Several clubs are reticent to release their players for the camp for Qualifiers and Asian Games 2023, while some have continental obligations. Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC participate in the AFC Cup, Asia’s second-tier club competition. While Mumbai City prepares for the high-profile AFC Champions League, the first game is set for September 18-20.
India’s qualification matches are against the Maldives (September 6), China (September 9), and the UAE (September 12). The team was scheduled to begin training in Bhubaneswar on August 12 and fly to China on September 4. The federation has now postponed the camp’s start date till August 20.
Head coach Igor Stimac urges ISL clubs to release players for National Camp
The AIFF has now scheduled a “open discussion” between national coach Igor Stimac and the coaches of the ISL. Especially since top-tier clubs will be required to release players for the Asian Games 2023. It takes place outside of the FIFA international period. Also on the agenda is the crucial Asian Cup, for which a three-week training camp is planned.
On Saturday evening, July 5, Igor Stimac resorted to social media to send a message to all Indian Super League (ISL) clubs.The Croatian has pleaded with all ISL teams to enable their Indian international players to train with the national team ahead of a series of critical competitions.
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