Baichung calls I-League a "failure", repeats opposition to merger of I-League and ISL

FORMER INDIA CAPTAIN Baichung Bhutia has been one of the most vocal opponents of the merger between the I-League and Indian Super League and he has spoken out again.

Speaking to PTI, Baichung called the I-League a "failure" and said that more time must be given to ISL before the two are merged,

"Let's be honest, I-League was not successful and that's why ISL came. Football fans were not coming to watch I-League matches, the media do not want to cover them... had I-League been successful, the ISL would not have been there... Next year, I feel that ISL should have six Indians, instead of the five currently. In another two or three years, the number of foreigners should be reduced to four which is the current rule in the I-League. Only then we can think of a merger between the two leagues."

Baichung, who has been appointed as a special advisor to AIFF, repeated what was said by I-League CEO Sunando Dhar in 2014 when he called I-League a "failure", and just like Mr Dhar, Baichung did not delve into details to explain the reasons why I-League "failed" and who should bear responsibility for it.