Opposition from national football coach Bob Houghton and captain Bhaichung Bhutia has led to a rethink by the All India Football Federation on the five-foreigner quota in the I-League. The AIFF has also sought views of state associations on the issue.
The ace footballer lamented that the game in the country is not getting the popularity it deserves.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel took a veiled dig at Goan clubs on Tuesday for not having the required "bandwidth" to continue in the revamped top tier league as they are "not investing" in football while providing excuses.
Uncertainty over the inaugural edition of India's Premier League Soccer (PLS) increased on Saturday when organisers disputed a claim from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that the competition had been cancelled.
Former captain and current advisor to All India Football Federation, Bhaichung Bhutia has admitted that the eight-year old I-League has been a failure and feels that the 'successful' Indian Super League should be given a few more seasons before a possible merger of the two.
'Overall, it's based on two things. First, it's identifying talent. And then the quality of the educational programme and the coaching is absolutely vital. The AIFF has to take charge of the education with us and we need good cooperation.'
Bagan, India's oldest soccer club, was handed a two-year ban from the I-League for pulling out of its violence-marred derby match against the bitter rivals in Kolkata.
In 2025 alone, at least 50 suicides linked to online gambling losses have been reported across India. According to FIRs, the victims were addicted to betting, largely driven by cricket, rummy and poker.
A city court restrained the All India Football Federation (AIFF) from preventing Mohun Bagan from participating in the I-League.
The Mohun Bagan goalkeeper claimed innocence saying he had no intention to hurt Cristiano Junior.
Dempo have appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to revoke the Rs five lakh fine imposed on them for refusing to release their players Mahesh Gawli and Sameer Naik for the national camp early this month, national federation general secretary Alberto Colaco said on Tuesday.
His agent Simon Bayliss said the 22-year-old striker is not interested in playing for India and is all set to pursue his career in England.
All India Football Federation president, Praful Patel on Tuesday dismissed reports that national coach Bob Houghton has put in his papers after being shoddily treated by the AIFF.
Besides vice president N A Harris, treasurer Ajay Kipa, all other newly elected executive committee members, and the six eminent footballers co-opted in the committee, except Bhutia, were present in the meeting.
All India Football Federation will discuss in its executive committee meeting on May 7 the impact on the next I-League of Mahindra United's decision to disband itself from competitive football.
The Kolkata club said its players can join the India camp after their English physical trainer completes his stint with the team.
The AIFF ruled that the disputed match between Air India and Fransa would not be replayed as it was the latter who did not turn up.
The league was originally scheduled to begin on September 30 but the schedule of the World Cup qualifiers put paid to those plans.
The meeting is expected to finalise venues and fixtures for the upcoming National Football League.
"Every Indian national in Pakistan and Pakistani in India has to report to the local police station," said AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco.
As per the Indian Olympic Association's regulations, only those national teams which are ranked between 1-8 at the continental level, are cleared for the Games.
The Mohun Bagan goalkeeper was accused of an unfair tackle on Dempo's Cristiano Junior just before he collapsed to the ground.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) may see nothing wrong in allowing five foreigners in each I-League club from this season, but national football captain Bhaichung Bhutia feels that the new rule will let one too many overseas players to compete in the event.
FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter was accorded a warm welcome when he arrived in Kolkata on Saturday night on a four-day official visit to India.
The All India Football Federation on Wednesday extended the contract of national team head coach Wim Koevermans by four months till October next year.
The AIFF again proposed the name of Jo Paul Ancheri after the versatile player missed out on the prestigious honour last year.
The one-off contest between the winners of I-League and Federation Cup on lines of the season opening Community Shield in England has not gone down well with Dempo coach Armando Colaco as he feels that the importance of the Super Cup gets diluted when played at end of the season.
The All India Football Federation on Tuesday said it was not consulted for the proposed marquee match between the world's most popular club Manchester United and Serie A champions Juventus.
Sporting clube de Goa confirmed they have formally withdrawn from I-League 2016-17 owing to "strong objections" to the proposed road map by All India Football Federation and its marketing partners IMG-Reliance for Indian football.
Mahindra United defender Surkumar Singh was named 'Player of the Year' by the All India Football Federation.
The club says the referee denied them two penalties during last Sunday's crucial National Football League match against East Bengal.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
The Goa team's fourth, fifth and sixth rounds have been rescheduled in view of the accident some of its players and coach met with on Wednesday.
Beleagured Mohun Bagan on Monday appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for a review of its decision to suspend the club till 2015-16 season for abandoning the December 9 I-League derby against arch-rivals East Bengal.
Bhaichung Bhutia will have a straight fight with former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey.
Legendary coach Arsene Wenger on Tuesday committed himself to "digging out talent" in India and place the country on world football map.
India have withdrawn from the race because they would not be able to meet the huge infrastructure requirements.
