The newly-crowned I-League champions Aizawl FC have threatened to go on a "fast unto death" if they are not allowed to play in the top-tier of domestic club structure next season.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is mulling restructuring of domestic football into three tiers from next season. According to the plan, the top-tier will be played among the existing eight teams of the Indian Super League and two-three clubs from the I-League.
The second tier is likely to be made up of the current I-League clubs sans those which make it to the top-tier. Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Bengaluru FC are tipped top be among clubs which may get to play in the top league along with the existing eight ISL teams.
There will be no promotion to the top league from the lower tiers at least for another seven years.
Fearing that they will be consigned to the second tier for many years even after winning the I-League, Aizwal FC has written to the AIFF to allow them to remain in the top league in any scenario.
Aizawl FC, a hitherto little-known club from a remote corner of the country with a shoe-string budget, were crowned I-League champions on 30 April in one of the most remarkable achievements in Indian football history.
It was, in fact, the 'Leicester' moment of Indian football as the Aizawl side turned their fortunes around in just a matter of a year after they were on the verge of relegation from the I-League last season.
Aizawl were to be relegated from the I-League after they finished eighth last year but after a few Goan sides pulled out of the country's top-flight league, they got a lifeline to stay afloat.
A club whose budget is just around Rs 2 crore (Mohun Bagan spent the same amount in buying Sony Norde), it's an achievement of enormous proportion.
(With inputs from PTI)
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