Four ISL clubs seek clarity before agreeing to play Super Cup

FC Goa won the Super Cup last season to qualify for ACL Two playoff

Panaji: Several Indian Super League (ISL) clubs are not entirely convinced about the future and are contemplating whether participation in next month’s Super Cup will pose complications, given that they are yet to start pre-season training and have kept player salaries on hold. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the season will kick off with the Super Cup, a 16-team competition involving 13 teams from the top-tier ISL and three from the I-League, from Oct 25 to Nov 22. Clubs have been asked to confirm participation latest by Thursday. “We are awaiting confirmation from four (ISL) clubs,” a senior AIFF official told TOI on Thursday. “Some clubs have asked for more time to respond, others have raised queries. We are speaking with the clubs individually and should be able to confirm soon.” According to sources, Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City, Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC are among the clubs who are still uncertain. A senior official said at least two of these clubs have "conditionally consented" to participate in the tournament, subject to clarity on the tournament structure, financial implications and broadcast rights. East Bengal have enquired if the winners will be rewarded with India’s second spot for continental competitions and the number of foreigners the teams are allowed to field. From among the I-League clubs, the top three – Inter Kashi, Churchill Bros and RKFC – have been told that they are guaranteed a place if they confirm participation, while clubs placed between four and six – Gokulam Kerala, Rajasthan United and Dempo SC – will be considered if the top three don’t respond. Till Thursday evening, Inter Kashi and RKFC were keen to play, while Gokulam Kerala, Dempo SC and seventh-placed Namdhari could step in and fill the void, if needed. “ISL clubs need to agree a new league financial structure with the commercial partner which does not exist for now,” Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee said in a recent post on social media. “Without this, we will not be able to budget or understand financials. Clubs need to know what broadcast revenues we will receive, and what our operations cost will be, based on the fixtures.” The AIFF has issued the Request for Quote (RFQ) for selection of an agency for managing the process related to awarding the rights to monetise commercial rights of AIFF has already been issued. The technical and financial bids will be opened on Sept 15, while a commercial partner is expected to be confirmed only in late October or early November.

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