Bhutia Comments on current situation of Indian Football

Indian Football icon Bhaichung Bhutia expressed his opinions on the current situation of ISL and I-League. Speaking about a possible merger between the two leagues, he said, “I am not talking about a merger. We need to have a bigger number of teams with separate divisions, say 1st, 2nd and 3rd divisions, where we can have relegation and promotion system. This is what the format is all across the world and I think we need to get into that format soon,”

All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently gave the AFC Champions League spot to the ISL Winners, which earlier rested with the I-League winner. Now the I-League champions will have to play in the AFC Cup.

I-League clubs, including the likes of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Minerva Punjab have lodged a complaint to FIFA President Gianni Infantino seeking his help in the matter.

Voicing his views on the matter he said, “I can’t really comment on the federation and what is right and what is wrong but I am sure there are challenges for the federation as well. It’s not that the federation is not doing anything. I welcome (AIFF President) Praful Patel’s statement a few days ago where he said that within a few years the two leagues will be merged,”

He added, “I think we should be looking at leagues at a different level with promotion and relegation system. It might take time but we should get into that structure. “At the end of the day, the game should go on. The game should be organized in a bigger and better way.”

Bhaichung Bhutia was also asked about the poor display by Indian Football Team in the recently concluded Intercontinental cup, to which he replied, “We have a fairly new coach so it will take time for him to build a new team with new players. Our defenders have been hampered by a lot of injuries. He has not watched Indian football before coming here. The Intercontinental was more about seeing the players, getting the right combination, giving opportunities to a lot of young players.”

Indian Football legend, Bhaichung Bhutia may return to the ground once more to play for his boyhood club East Bengal. He is likely to come on for a brief period to celebrate the club’s hundred years.

In the interview, he said, “East Bengal is celebrating its centenary so there are talks going on in between me and the club that I should officially retire from club football with the team that gave me my career’s first opportunity.”