AFC presses for separate entity to run I-league

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) categorically asked All India Football Federation to implement a separate legal entity for the professional organisation of the I-League and also pressed on the fact that clubs should convert into business models if the country wants to participate in the revamped AFC Champions League starting next year.

The two-member delegation of AFC Pro-League committee led by vice-chairman Tokuaki Suzuki, however, seemed pleased after finding most of the clubs implementing the AFC pro-licensing norms, the deadline for which was set till March 31.

“The Indian clubs will have to be both legal as well as commercial entity and the I-League should be run by separate legal entity under the aegis of AIFF,” Suzuki said after the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Committee also feels that some areas still have lot of scope for improvement. The crowd participation in the I-League will have to be increased substantially

Apart form club's financial statement both the premier division and 2nd division clubs have been asked to submit details about their legal and commercial units by April 30. The final decision on India’s participation will be taken following a meeting on May 20 after all the clubs furnish their details to the committee.

The committee will make further inquiry whether the country meets the criteria of the revamped AFC Champions League beginning next year or not.

The AFC has laid down 50 rules that come under 10 different sections for a country to become eligible for the much-anticipated Champions League. The governing body of Asian football is to take a final decision on how many countries will participate in the Pro-League.

The AFC Professional League Ad-Hoc Committee has so far visited 21 countries since April 2007 and shortlisted 15 countries for a further second visit. Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Iran, Qatar, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, China and Australia are the other likely participating members who wish to take part in the league.