ISL is India’s top league

New Delhi, October 14

It is official. The Indian Super League (ISL) has been recognised as the top league of the country. The decision to this effect came at a meeting held in Kuala Lumpur by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and attended by ISL and I-League clubs.

As per the “roadmap”, the winner of ISL will get to play in the AFC Champions League playoff, while the I-League champions will participate in the AFC Cup playoff. AFC general secretary Dato Windsor John said it was the best solution.

“We have informed AIFF that 10-12 teams are not enough for the top League – it must be bigger,” John said. 

The roadmap also opens the doors to ISL for two I-League teams — Mohun Bagan and East Bengal — after the 2020-21 season. There will be no promotion and relegation in ISL till 2023-24. The two-league system will come to an end in 2024-25.

‘It is a victory’

Minerva Punjab FC co-owner Ranjit Bajaj said: “We are happy that our main concern of sporting merit is brought in and four clubs are being promoted by four years and then promotion and relegation will start. I consider this a victory even at the cost of losing the AFC Champions  League spot.” — TNS