Seven I-League clubs to meet in aftermath of telecast row

Aggrieved by the lack of coverage after the revised I-League telecast schedule, seven I-League clubs will meet under the banner of I-League (Private) Clubs Association here to 'mobilise the entire football community to fight the injustice'.

According to a statement, I-League clubs are up in arms after the tournament's official broadcaster Star Sports recently announced that it will cut the television coverage to just 30 of the 61 matches remaining in the season.

While former champions Mohun Bagan are the only side who could see all their matches shown on television, defending champions Minerva Punjab FC were the worst-hit, and newcomers Real Kashmir FC will be partially affected.

At the forefront of the movement is defending champions Minerva owner Ranjit Bajaj who has time and again criticised the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial and marketing partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) for step-motherly treatment to the "country's premier league."

The other member clubs include Chennai City FC, Neroca FC, Aizawl FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Real Kashmir FC and Shillong Lajong FC.

"In light of the recent decision by Star Sports/AIFF/FSDL/IMG-Reliance not to broadcast 30 of the remaining matches of the I-League, the I-League clubs had approached Praful Patel for an urgent meeting, however we did not get any response," the media statement said.

"In order to make our voices heard and in an attempt to mobilise the entire football community to fight the injustice being meted out to the top division football league of the country, I-League clubs have decided to conduct a joint press conference for our cause," it read.

Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers are still not part of the movement.

"We have reached out to Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers to join in, we await their confirmations," the statement added.

--IANS

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