I-League clubs accept AIFF's 2-3 years status quo proposal

New Delhi Six ILeague clubs Thursday accepted the All India Football Federations proposal to maintain the status quo by continuing ILeague and Indian Super League for another 23 years but rejected the idea of ISL winners being given the AFC Champions League slotAIFF president Praful Patel had Wednesday assured the ILeague clubs that he will approach the AFC to ensure the two leagues coexist for another 23 years after a meeting with representatives of the clubs who threatened to move court against the federations plan to make ISL the top leaguePatel had asked the ILeague clubs to respond to his proposals within 24 hours and they did that on Thursday but rejected the AIFFs suggestion on the crucial issue of who represents India in the AFC Champions League playoffsIn a joint statement issued by Minerva Punjab Mohun Bagan East Bengal Aizawl FC Churchill Brothers and Gokulam Kerala the clubs thanked Patel for hearing their grievances and said they agreed to the broadcast and scheduling plans for the upcoming ILeague seasonIn the spirit of compromise ILeague clubs agree to the broadcast plan and scheduling plans for the upcoming season even though it is not ideal ILeague clubs also agree to continue with the two league system for another 3 years despite initially demanding immediate resolution with a unified league the statement saidHowever the clubs are not in favour of giving away their rightfully earned and longstanding AFC Champions league spot till a proper plan for unified league is initiatedThe United ILeague clubs insist that the AFC Champions league spot must remain with the ILeague as it is the ILeague clubs that have over the years earned the AFC spots for India to enjoy today The AIFF has already granted AFC Cup slot to ISL in 2017 and the same arrangement should continue till there is one unified leagueThe ILeague clubs also submitted a 10point Roadmap for League Football in India to the AIFF which among others pitched for the formation of a Working Group with representations from the AIFF FSDL ILeague and ISL clubs to plan for the introduction of a unified league involving both ILeague and ISL clubs with promotion and relegationThe roadmap recommended that a tripartite agreement be signed between AIFF FSDL and ILeague clubs giving details of the arrangement for the next three years to avoid recurring confrontations among the stakeholdersIt also recommended the immediate formation of an ILeague Committee with representatives from AIFF and ILeague clubs with sole responsibility of taking decisions regarding ILeague 2nd Division league and Youth LeaguesThe ILeague Committee will negotiate and finalise the production house and 50 percent of the total cost of production to be borne by FSDL with the remaining 50 percent to be paid by AIFFThe other recommendations are Ileague to be referred as the National Football League ILeague champions to get AFC Champions League slot all matches of ILeague to be shown live on HD Channel with improved production quality 8 camera set up with specifications mentioned ILeague matches to start at 5 pm and 7 pm for nonfloodlight venues kick off timings to be 2 pm3 pmThe ILeague clubs said that the roadmap needs to be approved by the AIFF Executive Committee and should be simultaneously announced giving all details including present status of ILeague and ISL and the future plan alsoCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates