Praful Patel responds to critics of 'merger' proposal on Twitter, fans are none too pleased
AIFF PRESIDENT PRAFUL PATEL has spoken out against the criticism he and the All India Football Federation have been receiving since the presentation of the proposed 're-thinking of Indian domestic football structure' in Delhi on Tuesday.
A number of fans and critics have criticised the proposal for giving ISL franchises a wholesale entry into the top division without a single test of footballing merit by making it ISL the new top division league minus any relegation, while most I-League clubs will face an enforced relegation into League One (second tier).
After the presentation, Patel said he would want some of the "legacy clubs" (i.e. real football clubs like Bengaluru FC, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan and not ISL franchises) to come on board in the new ISL, but then irked quite a few with a following comment about the clubs being unwilling to pay any franchise fees to play in ISL,
"If they have so many supporters, why can't they get good sponsors?"
Following this, clubs from Kolkata and Goa spoke out harshly against this proposal. Some even threatened to go to court or petition FIFA against this forcible "relegation" of clubs, and accused the AIFF of being mere stooges of IMG-Reliance.
Later, Praful Patel took to Twitter to clarify the situation and respond to critics, saying the presentation in Delhi was "just a concept paper" meant to invite suggestions from stakeholders and the media.
A concept paper on #Indian football's way forward was put to all stakeholders n media for suggestions. Surprised people drawing conclusions
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) May 19, 2016
He also accused some of the club officials of making contradictory statements in private and public to fuel anger in fans.
Legacy clubs say one thing in private and the opposite publicly. To all the critics that's the easy part now give implementable solutions.
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) May 20, 2016
He sought to clarify that his intention in the end was to take football and the Indian national team towards a positive direction.
Balancing interests of players clubs fans and commercial partners taking #Football forward and building strong National team the only goal
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) May 20, 2016
The fans, however, were not keen to take him on his word, and many raised a number of questions about his intentions and called to question his commitment to Indian football.
@praful_patel "Concept paper" is an euphemism for a blueprint to kill clubs with rich legacy & promote soul-less, fan-less franchisee clubs
— Lonely Furrow (@JoydeepB24) May 20, 2016
@dilipsinghkol20 @praful_patel ...how can they get sponsors if the league they play in gets no promotion at all!!
— Saikat Chatterjee (@katizzcool) May 19, 2016
@praful_patel @fni @aiffmedia Define rules 4 clubs in top tier. Annual bribe 2 IMG CANNOT b d criteria https://t.co/0BHY3IO6S3
— deepak (@deppcrocks1) May 20, 2016
@praful_patel Who will believe yor words now? There may be a U-Turn down the line!!!LMAO
— Stadhi Nongrum (@bahstadhi) May 20, 2016
@praful_patel Sir, how does any of this build "a strong national team". Give just one example!
— Arun George (@saysarun) May 20, 2016
