Minerva Academy FC and FC Bardez apply for direct entry into the I-League

SUNANDO DHAR, CEO of the I-League, has confirmed that Minerva Academy FC and FC Bardez have submitted their documents in a bid to be part of the highest professional football league in India.

" These two clubs have submitted bid documents to be part of the I-League from next year. The bid evaluation committee will now meet and take a call on whether they can be deemed fit to be part of the top-tier," Dhar told IANS over phone.

FC Bardez, making its maiden appearance in the ongoing Goa Pro League, is leading the title race under former Dempo and East Bengal manager, Armando Colaco.

Minerva Academy FC, based out of Chandigarh, narrowly missed out on a first-divison spot after they finished second in the final round of the second division league last year with Dempo taking the spoils.

The I-League will become a 11-team spectacle if both the team are to climb aboard the bandwagon by the 7th of January.