Praful Patel on Aizawl FC: Threats don't work in sporting organisations

SPECUALTION ABOUT THE CHAMPIONS OF INDIA not been included in the possible merger of I-League and Indian Super League had sparked debates and sort of panic in the Aizawl FC camp.

The proposed new merger of the top tournaments the I-League, which is a AFC recognised league and the private tournament Indian Super League was said to have just three teams from the I-League in the new merged top league along with the all current ISL teams.  Aizawl FC who had been forced relegated in the 2015-16 season after finishing eight among the nine teams, was recalled in the 2016-17 season just to add up the numbers, had just won the I-League.

Now, the speculation was that the merged league will not have any other team in the I-League apart from Mohun Bagan AC, East Bengal FC and Bengaluru FC. The remaining I-Leagues teams would be demoted to League One and with that logic, Aizawl FC, the champions of the highest league in the country would not get a chance to defend the title and even be relegated for not fault of theirs.

Aizawl FC wrote to the AIFF about their concern and said if theor do not get a positive response may approach higher Indian government authorities and go to the AFC as well. Also, they were willing to go on sit-in protest and even would go to the extent of a hunger strike, if the need be, to see their club play in the top most division.

According to ANI NEWS, Praful Patel, President of the AIFF, Senior Vice President of AFC and a member of FIFA Finance Committee reacted to the statements of Aizawl FC and said that threats do not work in sporting organisations and that not has been finalised.

Threats don't work in a sporting organisation,nothing decided yet: Praful Patel,AIFF on Aizwal FC threatening protests if they are demoted

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 5, 2017

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