Still awaiting official letter from AIFF: IFA secretary

Indian Football Association (IFA), the state's governing body for the sport, on Monday said they are yet to receive any official letter from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) regarding a new competition involving top four I-League and Indian Super League (ISL) teams.

"I am sending a message to AIFF President Praful Patel that we have not received any letter and thus we could not take any decision today. I will ask him to ensure that the letter reaches us fast as we are getting delayed in taking any decision," IFA Secretary Utpal Ganguli told reporters after a meeting with Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan here.

Asked if hopes of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan playing in the IS) is all but over with the cash-rich league announcing two new franchises - the Tata Steel-owned team from Jamshedpur and Jindal South West (JSW) side Bengaluru FC, after bid evaluation, Ganguli said: "Nothing is final yet. Further discussions can change things. If they will play the ISL or not I don't know but they can be part of a combined league."

In the meeting on Saturday in New Delhi, Patel had proposed the champions and runners-up of the competition, where top four I-League and ISL teams will play, will go on to represent India in Asia via the AFC Champions League qualifying playoff and the AFC Cup respectively.

Besides East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, several other I-League clubs met with Patel, and other AIFF officials at a plush hotel.

--IANS

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