I-League clubs willing to play Super Cup, if qualifiers restart

The I-League clubs are willing to play the Super Cup after All India Football Federation's (AIFF) President Praful Patel reached out to them and assured of holding a meeting in mid-April.

"We are willing to play provided the qualifiers restart. The three clubs sacrificed not only for themselves but for all the nine clubs. So, all of us agree that we will play the Super Cup only if the qualifiers are played once again. All of us are standing together," goal.com quoted Ranjit Bajaj, owner of Minvera Punjab as saying.

"We have it in writing from all the clubs that they are not going to participate if the qualifiers are bypassed. AIFF has sent us (Minerva, Aizawl, Gokulam) the letters as well asking our stance (on super cup participation) and so I think they are willing to reschedule the qualifiers," he added.

Mohun Bagan also released a statement expressing gratitude to the AIFF President who offered to meet them in the month of April.

"We express our sincere gratitude to our President who has offered to meet us in spite of his hectic schedule. We duly take note of our President's advice and will ensure that the Sport of football will not suffer because of the differences. We reciprocate the goodwill gesture by giving our consent/willingness to play the 'SUPER CUP' with the request to start the competition afresh and reschedule the qualifying rounds," their statement read.

Nine I-League clubs had earlier decided to not take part in the Super Cup citing AIFF's unfair treatment towards them.