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New Delhi, October 14
It is official. The Indian Super League (ISL) has been recognised as the top league of the country. The decision to this effect came at a meeting held in Kuala Lumpur by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and attended by ISL and I-League clubs.
As per the “roadmap”, the winner of ISL will get to play in the AFC Champions League playoff, while the I-League champions will participate in the AFC Cup playoff. AFC general secretary Dato Windsor John said it was the best solution.
“We have informed AIFF that 10-12 teams are not enough for the top League – it must be bigger,” John said.
The roadmap also opens the doors to ISL for two I-League teams — Mohun Bagan and East Bengal — after the 2020-21 season. There will be no promotion and relegation in ISL till 2023-24. The two-league system will come to an end in 2024-25.
‘It is a victory’
Minerva Punjab FC co-owner Ranjit Bajaj said: “We are happy that our main concern of sporting merit is brought in and four clubs are being promoted by four years and then promotion and relegation will start. I consider this a victory even at the cost of losing the AFC Champions League spot.” — TNS