New Delhi Aug 10: Eleven I-League clubs have written to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) demanding free broadcast of matches and said they are yet to receive official communication about the number of participating teams in the I League 2023-2024.
According to a letter, the clubs say that their collective effort aims to provide the AIFF with a free broadcasting solution for I-League matches, ensuring that no financial burden falls upon the federation or the clubs. “The initiative backed by sportscast guarantees high-quality broadcasts that can be accessed by fans across the nation,” the letter reads, a copy of which lies with Morning Kashmir.
“We strongly believe that charging the clubs for broadcasting rights when a superior quality broadcast is available for free is not only unfair but can also be deemed as criminal. It is our collective belief that charging for access to matches, when better alternatives exist, would be an unfortunate decision. We humbly request that an open tender process be conducted by the AIFF, rather than by any external party, to maintain transparency and fairness,” the letter reads.
The clubs shot off the letter having individually raised concerns earlier over match broadcast and overall integrity of the league after a part of their last season’s subsidy were deducted by the federation on the pretext of rising production cost for games.
“We firmly believe that charging for access to these matches not only appears unjust but could also be viewed as a hindrance to the growth of football in our country.”
Last season, each I-League club was deducted a sum of Rs 17 lakh from their Rs 55 lakh subsidy that they receive. The AIFF cited rise in production and broadcasting cost of matches as reason for deduction.
The clubs also proposed to register 35 players per team, which they claimed would support the livelihood of 60 Indian players’ and their families while enhancing the competitiveness of the league.
“Given the nature of the sport, injuries are inevitable; hence, we believe it is essential to prioritize the well-being of our players,” the letter read.
Since the AIFF approved the entry of new corporate teams into the league apart from promotion and relegation and mulled a change in format from the upcoming edition, the existing clubs sought clarity over the shape of the league.
“We strongly urge the AIFF to release this information promptly, allowing us to better plan and prepare for the upcoming season,” the letter added.
