Bengaluru FC may leave I-League to join ISL in 2017
Bengaluru FC might well be one of the two new teams competing in the Indian Super League (ISL) from 2017 onwards. According to International Business Times UK, a source reveals that the club is all set to bid adieu to the I-League and join the franchise based tournament after this season.
ISL is currently not the recognised league of the country and I-League serves as the top tier recognized league of India. However, as All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a few months ago, ISL will become the top tier tournament with I-league being the 2nd tier in a three-tier format.
There are 8 teams as of now and AIFF have already said that 2 more teams will be joining from 2017, making it a 10 team tournament.
Reports suggest that there will be no promotion or relegation for the first few years of the league. It is believed that ISL will be a closed league for a few years as a contract exists between ISL franchises, IMG-Reliance and AIFF as all franchises have invested a huge sum of money and want to be financially stable in the near future.
Bengaluru FC, which is owned by Mumbai-based JSW group, joined the I-League gaining direct entry to the I-League in 2013 and went on to win the league in their debut season. They won it again last season to make it two titles in a span of three years, stamping their authority as a potent force in India, under Ashley Westwood.
This year the club parted ways with the ex-Manchester United man and have brought in ex-Barcelona assistant manager Alberto Roca, as they hope to retain their I-league title and perform well against the Asian giants in the AFC Cup.
The decision may not go down well with the existing I-League teams as much of the league’s glitter will fade away. The popularity of the ISL has already hit the league hard and clubs are finding it difficult to cope with the AIFF’s decision, as they certainly don’t want to participate in a league with not promotion to the top tier.
A few well-established clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are also in contention to join the ISL next year.