CHENNAI: I-League champions Chennai City have requested a 'special invitation' to be a part of the All India Football Federation's executive committee (EC) meeting in New Delhi on 3 July, either alone as the title holders, or along with the other concerned clubs.
In the request made in a letter addressed to AIFF general secretary Kushal Das, the Coimbatore-based club raised concerns about reports that the primary agenda of the EC meeting was to officially declare the Indian Super League (ISL) as the top-tier league of club football in India.
The letter reads: "We, Chennai City Football Club write to you today (Tuesday) with regards to the numerous news stories and articles published both in print and digital which overwhelmingly indicate that an act is impending on behalf of the National Federation to alter the current footballing structure in the country.
"We wish to gently remind the national federation, that as the current I-League champions, we have been neither consulted nor approached formally by the AIFF into a discussion with regard to the decision which we are informed will be announced post the AIFF executive committee meeting on July 3rd, 2019.
"The decision as mentioned above, refers to the AIFF's obligation under its Master Rights Agreement to allot the Indian Super League (a new league conceptualised, owned and promoted by FSDL) as the top national league in India while simultaneously choosing to either temporarily or permanently discontinue the I-League competition. We believe such a decision, if made, even under excessive external compulsion would do more harm than good for the future of the game of football in our country."
CCFC has also requested a special invitation from the AIFF for the executive committee meeting to put forward its views on the league's future.
"We request you to grant us special invitation to the scheduled executive committee meeting on July 3rd, 2019 either collectively (all I-League club owners present) or individually, as the current champions of the I-League."
On Monday, seven I-League clubs (East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, Minerva Punjab, Aizawl FC, NEROCA and Gokulam Kerala) threatened to drag the AIFF to court if the ISL was to announced as India's top football league.
Later, the AIFF issued a statement lambasting the 'premature' actions by the clubs before any decree was passed.
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