09 January 2025 GMT: 20:21

Indian Super League start pushed into October, Pires signs as marquee player

AIFF2

By Mark Baber
July 29 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has granted the Indian Super League (ISL) permission to delay the start of the competition for a third time, whilst the signing of the 40-year old Robert Pires generates more enthusiasm.

The ISL is now scheduled to take place from October 12 to December 20, three-weeks later than earlier scheduled. As a consequence there has also been a rescheduling of the Federation Cup and the I-League.

The Federation Cup will now kick off on December 28 with the final slotted for January 10, while the I-League (India’s traditional football league) will kick off on January 17, finishing in May 2015.

General Secretary of the AIFF, Kushal Das, denied suggestions the AIFF was bending to the demands of sponsors IMG-Reliance saying, “There is no question of bowing down to IMG-Reliance. When we provided them with the dates, we had asked then to try and stick to the calendar. But they now have genuine problems. The Champions League T20 is being played in India and with cricket happening around, there was no point in having the ISL as it unnecessarily dilutes the competition.”

Meanwhile former Arsenal player and World Cup winner Robert Pires has confirmed his participation in this year’s inaugural Indian Super League as a player, although it has not yet been decided which of the eight ISL franchises he will play for.

Pires joins Joan Capdevila as one of the eight marquee players who will participate in the 10-week league.

“I am very happy to be part of the new league when passion for football in India is on the rise. It will be great to play in front of the enthusiastic Indian fans as well as share all my knowledge with my team-mates. I am sure the League will be a huge success and I am delighted to be part of it,” said Pires.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1736453970labto1736453970ofdlr1736453970owedi1736453970sni@r1736453970ebab.1736453970kram1736453970


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