NEW DELHI: Now that it is clear to all concerned that the the ongoing Super Cup has been an unmitigated disaster for the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partners Football Sports Development Ltd, the question really is, what next?
From this vantage point, there appear to be only two options available to the FSDL-AIFF.
The first one being to throw the rule book at the seven truant I-League clubs and vitiate the atmosphere even further. And the second one being to address the issues raised by the I-League clubs head on when they meet AIFF president Praful to discuss the future roadmap of Indian football once the Super Cup is done and dusted.
On the hard course of action, a top AIFF official has provided details to IANS of what sanctions the seven clubs – Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Churchill Brothers, Aizawl FC, Minerva FC and Gokulam FC,NEROCA FC – could face for their absence in the Super Cup.
The federation could impose sanctions on the basis of the agreement signed by the clubs at the start of the I-League last year. The agreement 2 (A) reads: “The club is desirous of participating in the Hero I-League for the season 2018-19 (‘competition’) being organised by the Authority, along with any other such competitions and/or tournaments the Club would be required to participate in and as may be added to the season schedule by the Authority.”
The agreement also makes it clear the word “Authority” is used while referring to AIFF.
Rule 10.4 says: The Participating Club that withdraws from the competition after its commencement shall:
a) be required to pay compensation for any and all damages or losses suffered by, where applicable, the other participating club/s, the AIFF, the AIFF commercial right partners, licensees, broadcasters and the concerned Member Association.
b) be disqualified from taking part in next edition of the competition from which it withdrew. The AIFF executive committee may extend the suspension depending on the gravity of the situation and/or impose further damages as deemed appropriate by it.
c) be referred to the AIFF disciplinary committee for determination of the compensation amount and additional sanctions. Depending upon the gravity of the offence, the case may be referred to the AIFF executive committee for final decision.
“All stakeholders in the Super Cup have incurred heavy loss due to sudden exit of seven I-League clubs at the last moment. It won’t be a surprise if the disciplinary committee, as per the recommendation of the league committee, slaps heavy fine on the absent clubs to recover the financial loss,” said official told IANS.
Again, looking from this vantage point, nothing of the sort is likely to happen since what is in play is a virtual “mass boycott”.
