Panaji: Jamshedpur FC are the only side to have confirmed they will play in the top league this season, regardless of the format, while Odisha FC have told the All India Football Federation (AIFF) they are likely to opt out “if there are any costs to the club” without a commercial partner being brought on board.Club officials of Jamshedpur and Odisha made their stances clear during Sunday’s online meeting between all top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) clubs and the federation’s four-member panel that included deputy secretary general, M Satyanarayan.The meeting was called to finalise the short-term plan for this season’s ISL, but despite the federation appearing keen on making an early announcement, the clubs sought clarity before confirming participation. The only agreement between the two parties was that the league will not be played on a regular home-and-away basis since many of the venues have remained unused for nine months and clubs will struggle to get them ready within a month.“All of us want to play football, there is no denying that. But in conversations (between the clubs), we felt a few things needed to be addressed, which will allow us to take steps forward for the short term,” said one club official.The clubs have asked AIFF to seek clarity from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) if the governing body can grant a one-time exemption to the 24-match league criteria, a mandatory requirement for qualification to Asian competitions.The format for this season’s ISL – centralised Conference model or centralised single-leg format where each team plays the other once – will depend on AFC response, expected in the next 48 hours.“If AFC insists on 24 matches, which is not possible this season, and we have to give up on the continental spot, the plan is to make the season very cost-effective,” said the official.According to estimates prepared by the clubs, they will need approx. Rs 35-40 crore for organisation of the league. Questions were asked of AIFF if it will contribute to the cost.When told by AIFF officials that clubs will most likely have to share the cost, with each one contributing Rs 2.5 crore, a senior official said there are possibilities a few clubs may not participate, eventually increasing their contribution towards organisation and production of matches.“We are all under extreme pressure from our owners to ensure that costs do not spiral out of control,” said the official.Meanwhile, Odisha, who did not take part in the Super Cup, have informed the AIFF that they will pull out of the ISL this season, if they have to bear an additional cost, without having a commercial partner on board.“The Odisha representative relayed a message that was conveyed to him by the owners. The top priority he said was cost. If there is a long-term commercial partner, then the club will invest this season, but if there is nothing, Odisha will be the first one to opt out,” said one source who attended Sunday’s online meeting.
