Marcus Mergulhao, TNN Jun 30, 2013, 04.59AM IST PANAJI: Dempo Sports Club chairman Shrinivas Dempo feels the proposed cash-rich IMG-Reliance IPL-style league cannot be a success without active support from existing I-League clubs.
The I-League clubs have locked horns with IMG-Reliance, promoters of Indian football, over the ambitious league which is set to kick off early next year. But while Dempo, who is also vice president of the All India Football Federation, is not averse to the league, he has advocated the need for its promoters to sit across the table and thrash out issues that threaten to spiral out of hand.
"At the (AIFF) meeting I was clear that, whatever is being done, you have to take the clubs into confidence. I personally believe something like a IMG-Reliance league will be good for football in general. It will evoke interest, it will get people to the grounds, but at what cost? What is in it for the (existing) clubs," asked Dempo.
The AIFF emergency committee, of which Dempo is a member, even decided to create a two-month window for the proposed league, although several questions continue to linger.
"There are a number of challenges. How do you fix the calendar? How do you solve the contract issues of players? Unfortunately, these issues have not been resolved. The clubs have to spell out its fears and IMG-Reliance have to dispel any doubts by getting into a dialogue with the clubs," said Dempo.
"A league like this has to happen. At the same time, I must say a league like this will not be successful without club support," he said.
The Indian Professional Football Clubs Association, an association of all I-League clubs, have unanimously resolved not to release any of their players for the proposed league, or acquire the services of any player who has been snapped up by IMG-Reliance and may be given on loan.
"As clubs, there is a need to sit together with IMG-Reliance. All clubs are together and pending matters being resolved, Dempo will not release the players (as well)," he said.
Interestingly, Dempo have included a clause in their new contracts that the "player should not participate in open, Inter-Village or any other tournaments without the written consent of the club."
