Premier League Soccer gets AIFF backing

MUMBAI: The All India Football Federation has given its backing to the Premier League Soccer, the franchise-based soccer league launched by West Bengal?s football governing body, the IFA.

AIFF?s endorsement was the only missing link in the PLS tale, which has managed to grab world?s attention after tasting success at the franchise auction and foreign players? auction both of which saw as much as Rs 1.05 billion of private money being invested into the sport.

However, the backing comes with a caveat that the organisers, which is the IFA and its commercial partner Celebrity Management Group, needs to adopt "correct procedures" regarding the participation of active international stars.

Refuting media reports that the AIFF was against the PLS, federation?s general secretary Kushal Das said, "We fully backed the tournament. We have given written permission to the IFA to hold the tournament. Our only concern is that we want correct procedures to be taken on the participation of international players."

"A few international players are still active. We have to ensure correct international transfer management in their case. If there is any problem in their case, say if there arises any issues regarding their salary payment, FIFA will hold AIFF responsible. We don?t want to tarnish the image of AIFF and Bengal football," he added.

The PLS has attracted the likes of former and current international stars Fabio Cannavaro, Hernan Crespo, Robbie Fowler and Jay-Jay Okocha not to mention the international coaches that each team will have.

Das informed that the AIFF will call for an emergency committee meeting in the second half of this month to ensure that "correct procedures" are in place.

He also said that I-League players will not be allowed to take part in the seven-week PLS. "The understanding has been that the I-League players will not take part in the tournament," he said.

However, CMG executive director Bhaswar Goswami had in an interview with Indiantlevision.com clearly stated that the league has been created for domestic talent who don?t have a platform rather than to tap I-League players who are already employed with their respective clubs.