Times seems to be running out for Churchill Brothers
Football Club and the three other teams axed from the I League. With just seven
days given to file an appeal it now appears, that this time around, the All India
Football Federation (AIFF) First Instance Body is not in a mood to take excuses
lightly. It is time to move on for better pastures!
“Finance , administrative , personell and infrastructure are
not just the four AIFF licensing
regulations. These four are just broad headings. There are forty two (a)
criteria must for any clubs. There are also other b and c criteria’s. Churchill
Brothers hasn’t got all the 42 criteria’s”,
stated Sunando Dhar , I League Chief Executive Officer(CEO) in an exclusive
interview to Goalfest.
Dispelling fears that Churchill Brothers and the other teams
have been axed to make way for other
teams , Dhar stated “ We are not inviting any clubs. We are bringing in clubs
through the bidding process. These clubs are to fulfil additional criteria’s-
to the ones already existing .The new clubs will have to invest in
infrastructure and grass roots”
“Two parties have already picked up the bid documents. They
cannot be named at the moment.”, stated Dhar.
The winners of the Federation get an opportunity to take
part in the Asian Football Councils (AFC) Champions League. Churchill are the
last year’s winners. “The AIFF took a decision last year that only licensed
clubs will be sent to the AFC competitions. So, how can Churchill expect to go?”
asks Sunando Dhar.
“The licensing
criteria began donkeys years ago. It started during the time of Alberto Colaco.
Postponements were made. Everything has a limit , if we have to move
forward.And, football has to “, stated a source from New Delhi.
“ The licensing criteria was during my time but not in this format. The
AFC revised the format in 2010-2011.”, stated Mr Alberto Colaco.
Clubs like JCT had to shut shop because of the new
regulations. Vasco Sports Club from Goa too had to change to a Private Ltd
Company. JCT could not do so because there were hiccups in the transfer of
funds.
No doubt , ample of time was given to clubs. “There have
been instances where some clubs have got into financial irregularities. Some
clubs resorted into doing fake contracts. Some Clubs did not pay – especially
foreign players- what they were promised. Foreign players have actually
approached the FIFA committees to settle their problems. This move was long
overdue”, stated a senior AIFF functionary from Bengal , on condition of anonymity.
There were times , when teams could enter the top flights of
football by climbing the league steps tediously. No one could expect to play on
the top level immediately. For that matter, no one could be relegate ,
without being in the relegation zone .
Definitely , things are changing now. Most of the times, change is met with
dissent. This is one such time. It is too early to say –because of various
factors- but this could be one right time for change. It could be the time,
football was waiting for?
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