Bhutia disagrees with two-league plan after AFC gives nod to ISL

The glamorous Indian Super League (ISL) was granted official recognition by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) yesterday

Baichung Bhutia

The glamorous Indian Super League (ISL) was granted official recognition by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) yesterday which meant that there will be two national leagues in the country for the 2017-18 edition. But former India skipper Baichung Bhutia, currently an advisor to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), stuck to his stance that Indian football should have one longer league to succeed.

The AFC gave its consent to the AIFF proposal through a letter signed by general secretary Dato Windsor John, a top AIFF official told PTI yesterday. "From the federation's point of view, it's important for both leagues to succeed, but from a player's perspective, there should be one long league, say for about five to 10 months. After the FIFA U-17 World Cup in October, the U-19 players will be released. The best upcoming talent must be tapped," Bhutia told mid-day.

By virtue of the ISL gaining official league status grants the champions of ISL 4 this season to an AFC Cup qualifying spot, while the I-League champions will represent India in the Asian Champions League qualifiers.

However, Bhutia maintained that the ISL champions, vying for an AFC Cup slot will be the AIFF's prerogative.

"The AIFF will decide in their next meeting soon whether this slot should be given to this season's champs or not.

"It's being discussed that for the AFC Cup slot and Champions League slot, there will be a Champions League where the top four teams from the ISL and I-League will meet and the winners and runners-up will represent India in Asian club competitions," Bhutia added.

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