Premier Futsal announces expansion plans; AIFF says it's unauthorised

AIFF plans to start its own futsal tournament this year

The expansion plans of Premier Futsal — the first-ever multinational futsal league conceptualised by Indian entrepreneurs that was launched last year — seem to have hit the All India Football Federation (AIFF) hurdle.

While the management of the privately sponsored tournament on Thursday announced its expansion plans, India’s apex football body said the futsal league “is not recognised”.

The federation is also planning to start its own futsal tournament this year, along with its marketing partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the AIFF said in a statement.

The AIFF has written to the Asian Football Confederation for support in structuring a national futsal tournament, which it plans to launch in 2017. “The federation is also instructing all its affiliate units not to allow players who are registered with the affiliates to participate in this unauthorised and unofficial futsal league,” it said.

The patrons of Premier Futsal, meanwhile, announced they were adopting team franchise model from this year, bidding for which would be held later this month. 

After successfully completing its first season in 2016, the management of the tournament is also looking to expand its viewership by increasing its broadcasting territories.

Portuguese soccer star and former captain of its national team Luis Figo, who is one of the faces of Premier Futsal in India, condemned the AIFF’s decision.

According to Xavier Britto, chairman & investor of Premier Futsal, the organisers were also working on tie-ups with private sector players to promote and provide game skills to Indian youths. “Investments in sports are always for the long-term. But development of the game and passion are important,” he said.

The organisers are looking to expand broadcasting of the matches to 40 countries, including India, in the 2017 edition, from four last year, said Nithyashree Subban, director, finance & strategy. The current edition will have 27 matches, up from 15 last year.

Five-a-side football competition, played indoors, is commonly known as futsal. Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli is the brand ambassador of the league. The duration of each half in a futsal game is 20 minutes, unlike football where it’s 45 minutes.