Is the last chance for the Kolkata clubs to enter the ISL?
Indian Super League, having plans to expand the league by one or three teams, invited teams from Indian cities to bid for a place in the ISL. It is learnt that at least four parties picked up the papers. But not all four have submitted their bids.
It was a contest of "Who blinks first" between the FSDL Authorities and Mohun Bagan / East Bengal. On one side was were the Kolkata I-League clubs putting forth demands of waiving of the franchise fee if they were to play in the ISL along with other demands like to be allowed to play out of Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium and the other side FSDL authorities, who were not ready to budge to the demands of the two clubs. A lot of meetings took place to come to a consensus and arrive at a solution for the demands of the two of the oldest clubs of India or find a common ground for both FSDL and the two clubs. Political leaders also entered the scene to show support for the two Kolkata clubs. The deadline of submitting the bid and things looked to be turning in the Kolkata club's favour, ISL announced that the ITB had been closed last evening at 5 pm.
There is just one confirmed bid being announced officially and that is from Bengaluru FC. If crude rumours are to be believed then Tata Group is to have also submitted their bid for ISL from Jamshedpur. That also means that both Kolkata clubs have not bent down to ease their demand or submitted their bid. But again there has been no official declaration by either clubs that they have submitted their bids.
The assumption is that Bengaluru FC and the Tata group are the only parties to have submitted the bid for the expanded new season of the ISL. The deductions from this assumption are as below:
1. ISL will continue without Mohun Bagan / East Bengal
2. There will be another around of ITB from ISL
Per the first deduction, I-League will still have the bigger players, even if Bengaluru decide to go ahead with staying with the ISL. Having EB and MB also increases attraction of viewership due to the famed Kolkata derby and also attracts sponsorship. As things stand, I-League is still official league of India and the winner will play in the coveted Asian Champions League.
If the second deduction is believed to be true then the next Invitation To Bid (ITB) will be well timed. It may not be happening at least till things get clarity after the meeting in Kaula Lumpur between various stakeholders of Indian football on June. This ITB might be the time when EB and MB are given the window to enter the ISL.
A lot will depend on this important meeting as it is set to make wholesome changes to Indian Football. It won't be just about whether I-League remains the official league or Which team plays in ISL/I-League or Whether ISL and I-League will be merged. It will be about establishing a system where football takes center stage and creating a structure in India that is conducive to the growth of the sport and not hamper the progress of the Indian clubs and the Indian national team.
