Centre to SC: Will ensure ISL is held

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to take responsibility of ironing out the creases standing in the way of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to receive bids from potential bidders for the smooth conduct of Indian Super League (ISL), observing that any solution should be worked out keeping the norms prescribed under the FIFA Statute in mind.

- Abraham Thomas

The observation of the court came after solicitor general Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre said that the sports ministry is aware of the issue and every attempt shall be made to ensure ISL is held. A bench of justices PS Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said, “People should not get an impression that the government is interfering in their (AIFF) functioning. We have a very important obligation on us to ensure ISL is held.”

Following the court's directive, ISL clubs have written to AIFF to convene a meeting of “all the relevant stakeholders” including government representatives and interested bidders at the earliest.