NEW DELHI: Two days after reminding the All India Football Federation that they were yet to receive their winnings for becoming the 2018-19 I-League champions, Chennai City FC (CCFC) have confirmed that the AIFF had released the Rs 10 million prize money
The club made the announcement two days after reminding the All India Football Federation that they were yet to receive the prize money for becoming the I-League champions.
CCFC, in a letter to AIFF general secretary Kushal Das accessed by PTI, wrote: “We wish to confirm that we have received from the All India Football Federation, the prize money for winning the I-League 2018-19 season.”
“We wish to express our gratitude to your office and the National Federation for expediting the matter and we look forward to your positive reply with regard to the subject matter as per our letter dated 25th June 2019.”
The AIFF has been facing a financial crisis due to “non-payment of dues” to the tune of Rs 250 million by its commercial partners Football Sports Development Ltd – a Reliance majority controlled joint venture with Star India.
PTI earlier reported that FSDL had not cleared the dues for the last two quarters owing to some taxation issues, because of which there has been a delay in giving away the cash award.
As per an agreement signed in 2010, the federation is entitled to get an annual payment of Rs 500 million from its commercial partner.
As for the “subject matter” referred to in CCFC’s letter of 25th June, it is in reference to a ‘special invitation’ sought by the I-League champions to be a part of the AIFF’s executive committee meeting in New Delhi on 3 July, either alone as the title holders, or along with the other concerned clubs.
The letter stated: “We request you to grant us special invitation to the scheduled executive committee meeting on July 3rd, 2019 either collectively (all I-League club owners present) or individually, as the current champions of the I-League.”
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