November 11 – Tonight (Friday), Sreenidi Deccan will open the new season of India’s I-League against Gokulam Kerala without an official broadcaster in place to cover the competition.
The I-League clubs, the second tier of Indian football, had threatened a boycott if they were not given confirmation on the league’s official broadcasters by Thursday evening, but the two opening matches of the season will likely take place with Deccan facing Kerala and Inter Kashi taking on debutants Sporting Club Bengaluru.
On Thursday, the I-League clubs association urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to delay the season kick-off until the broadcast issue has been resolved, a signal of the 12 clubs’ ongoing frustration with the situation.
The letter, as reported by PTI, read: “I-league clubs request you to send us confirmation of Sony Network as the official broadcaster of the I-League 24-25 by 8pm tonight, failing which I-league clubs will not commence the league as scheduled to commence tomorrow.”
“To add to our frustrations, hefty fines averaging Rs 10 lakh ($11,800) per club on account of failure in Club Licensing have been communicated to clubs last night.”
“Many clubs have been fined up to 25 lakhs ($29,600) despite repeated assurances by the president that no infrastructure fines will be applied on the clubs.”
“The issue of stadium infrastructure was discussed in detail where it was noted by the president and the clubs that since the stadiums in India are government-owned and clubs do not have any direct control over them, and are only renting the stadiums for a limited period, it is unfair to fine clubs for the same.”
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not issued a statement. Indian media report that the federation was in contact with a potential broadcaster, but no breakthrough has been made so far.
The AIFF awarded the commercial rights of the league to Shrachi Sports Endeavour Private Limited and said that discussions over broadcaster rights would need to be concluded by November 20.
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