NEW DELHI: Restructuring of the country’s domestic football could finally see fruition next year with Mohun Bagan and Quess East Bengal likely to play in the Hero Indian Super League from the 2019-20 season, if indications provided by All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials are anything to go by.
Both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been pushing for an ISL entry but the matter has been struck on the issue of franchisee fee of Rs 150 million, which the two Kolkata giants were not willing to pay.
At a press conference to launch this season’s I-League, AIFF senior vice-president Subratta Dutta dropped enough hints that the anticipated restructuring will take place next year, PTI reports.
An AIFF source also indicated to the newswire that both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will most likely get entry into the ISL next season. Both the clubs have huge fan bases and their addition to would certainly add lustre to the ISL.
“Some clubs from the I-League are likely to play in the ISL next year while the rest remain, though a final decision is yet to be taken,” the source told PTI. For entry into the ISL, the organisers will have to open bids and interested franchises will have to apply for that.
“There have also been discussions on whether I-League may be given another name,” said source told PTI.
