I-League to merge with ISL in next few years: AIFF

All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das said on Saturday that the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League football tournaments would be merged in the next two to three years.

The second edition of ISL will commence on October 3, following which the I-League will begin.

"We will have only one league in the next two to three years, but how to merge these two together is being planned out," Das told reporters here while attending I-league Mohun Bagan's 125th year celebrations at the Netaji Indoor Stadium.

Das also said Indian football needs a shake up.

"Its been long that there's been no change in football here, it needs a shake up, we have roadmap and even all stakeholders have the same view of having just one league."

Asked about the plight of struggling I-League clubs Bharat FC and Pune FC who are rumoured to be contemplating shutting shop, Das said, "We have not received anything officially, AIFF president Praful Patel will meet officials of both clubs to discuss the issue."

"If need be both these clubs can be merged together. They have complained of their diminishing fan base, so we have dismissed a bid from Bengaluru because they already have a team", he said.