I-League: AIFF to convene to decide BIDDING requisites for direct entry in I-League

I-League: I- League 2023-24 Bids: Indian Super League (ISL) is now accepting clubs based on athletic merit. I-League might become an appealing alternative for corporates trying to enter into the top tier of Indian football. There have been requests from corporates interested in a direct entry into the I-League for next season, but they must wait for approval from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Follow AIFF and Indian Football Team LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN

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The ISL was a closed league up until this point, requiring clubs to pay a franchise fee of between Rs 12 crore and Rs 16 crore every year to play. For the first time, the I-League champions RoundGlass Punjab FC will participate in the ISL for free the following year, provided that the necessary financial requirements are met. The League committee will meet on Monday to deliberate on the I-League’s direct bidding requirements. According to sources, the committee may use a three-tier system with tier-1, tier-2, and tier-3 cities.

Won the League in the first season! ⚡#OTD in 2014, the Blues announced themselves to Indian Football, winning the I-League title! 🏆#WeAreBFC #ThisDayThatYear pic.twitter.com/XNOVB2x6Pe

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) April 21, 2023

Direct entrants were needed to pay Rs 3 crore in yearly licence costs for a period of five years, under the previous request for proposals (RFP) issued by AIFF. They would receive a three-year reprieve from being demoted. Successful bidders were asked to show a corporate guarantee if their net worth exceeded Rs 500 crore. A bank guarantee in the amount of Rs 100 crore was sought from bidders whose net worth was less than Rs 500 crore.

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“I personally feel direct entries should be allowed if there is the right investor who wants to build a good team, but it’s up to the League committee to take the decision,” AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran told TOI on Sunday.

“Bengaluru FC is a good example of a corporate investing into football. There will be serious interest only when it’s known whether direct entries are allowed or not. The possibilities are 50-50. Personally, I feel the league should open up.” he added.

Many direct entries into the I-League have gone on to win championships. The league was won twice by Bengaluru FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, and Minerva Punjab (Punjab FC), and Chennai City FC. The first team to join the league immediately in 2013 was Bengaluru.

Gokulam Kerala won the league twice in the previous three years, while Minerva Punjab and Chennai City later won it as direct entrants. The latest clubs to qualify straight were Sudeva FC and Sreenidi Deccan.-Bharat FC and DSK Shivajians, two other teams in the league, both folded within a season or two.

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