Bengaluru FC submit ISL bid, but want to play only if AFC Cup spot is given

BENGALURU FC HAVE finally submitted their bid for participation in the Indian Super League, although much of their final decision depends on the view AFC take of ISL.

The Federation Cup champions today submitted ther bid documents. The club's CTO Mandar Tamhane said,

"Yes we have submitted our bid to play in the ISL today. We're looking forward to the bid review process."

However, a source close to the club told TFG that they will only play in the ISL if the Asian Football Confederation guarantees an AFC Cup spot to the tournament. He told TFG,

"Our submission of bid represents a strong interest to play in ISL, but playing in Asia is very important to us. It all depends on what stance AFC takes on ISL."

The AIFF and IMG-Reliance have been pushing for ISL to get recognized by the AFC. The continental federation's general secretary Dato Windsor is currently in India, but so far there is no indication that he has agreed to offer an AFC Cup qualifying spot, previously reserved for the Federation Cup winners, to ISL.

In fact the AIFF has called an all-stakeholder meeting on June 7th in Kuala Lumpur to sort out the "future roadmap" for Indian football where all ISL franchise and I-League club representatives will be present. It is likely that the recognition of ISL and the spot in Asia will be discussed in that meeting.

So its possible that the eventual participation of Bengaluru FC in ISL still hinges on the outcome of that meeting.

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