India football clubs against IPL-style league

New Delhi: The top football clubs of India are against the cash-rich franchise-based football tournament inspired by the Indian Premier League.

But the top clubs have declined to release their players as they feel the tournament will ruin the existence of I-League games.

"We don't think the new league will be beneficial to Indian football," said Raj Gomes, the head of I-League Professional Football Clubs Association. "How can we allow players to play for another club in the middle of the season?"

The chief executive officer of Churchill Brothers, Valanka Alemao also opposed the idea of the tournament. "I do not understand why the AIFF wants to hold a new league," Alemao said. "This new entity will eventually supersede the I-League and cause the slow death of existing clubs.

"The common goal should be to improve Indian football. How does it help if you get some retired or semi-retired players to grab a few eyeballs for a minute?

"It will benefit everyone if the AIFF tries to improve the I-League, instead of starting another tournament," she said.

However, AIFF general secretary Kushal Das feels the clubs are worrying for no reason and he is confident of persuading them. "I am talking to the clubs and we should be able to resolve this matter quickly," said Das.

"We are all for the betterment of football and IMG-Reliance is definitely here for the betterment of football. If there was no hope for Indian football they would not be here.

"The I-League has been on for more than 10 years and it has still not caught the attention of viewers and sponsors. The new league has the potential to raise the commercial value of Indian football."

India are currently placed at 146 in world rankings, but the interest among people is increasing due to television coverage.