ISL clubs oppose entry fee hike, threaten withdrawal

PANAJI: Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have told the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the sports ministry that a “significant number of clubs” will be compelled to reconsider their continued participation in the top tier if the federation implements the proposed model in its current form.In its meeting with AIFF, clubs were informed that in addition to the ongoing commercial tender process, the federation intends to levy an “entry fee” on all participating clubs from the next season, ostensibly to offset the loss of revenue following the departure of the erstwhile commercial partner.FSDL, the previous commercial rights holders, paid AIFF Rs 50 crore annually for all commercial rights and conducted the top tier league on its own. Now, the governing body is guaranteed of approx. ?12.4 crore annually in “administrative fees” if Genius Sports gets the nod.Club officials said the understanding during the meeting was that each of the 14 clubs would pay Rs 3 crore to make up for the deficit.“It is deeply concerning that, rather than adopting a collaborative approach to rebuilding the league’s commercial framework, the current stance appears to treat ISL clubs as cost centres,” the clubs said in an email to AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan on Friday. “Should the proposed model be implemented in its current form, a significant number of ISL clubs will be compelled to reconsider their continued participation.”The AIFF has, however, refuted claims that the clubs would have to pay Rs 3 crore each, a 200% hike from this year’s truncated season. “There will be some participation fee, but the idea is not to burden the clubs,” Satyanarayan told TOI . “We have to take the proposal to the executive committee, general body, and only then take a final call. Whenever the club owners want, we can also fix a meeting with the AIFF president.”