Panaji: Chanmari FC have termed the participation fee of Rs 1.23 crore for Indian Football League (IFL) clubs as “excessively high” and raised concerns over the new governance model which could “unintentionally disadvantage clubs with limited financial resources.”Despite uncertainty over their participation last season due to finances, Chanmari finished fifth among 10 teams in the IFL, Indian football’s second tier club competition after the Indian Super League.The Mizoram-based side attended the recent IFL general council meeting in Delhi. When the proposal was placed before the Board, there were concerns over the model.“We are particularly concerned that the proposed governance model, which gives clubs greater control over league finances, may unintentionally disadvantage clubs with limited financial resources,” Chanmari FC president Vanlalruatfamkima said in a recent email to the All India Football Federation (AIFF). “Clubs with significantly larger budgets are effectively able to influence financial decisions that create substantial barriers for smaller clubs before a single match is played. This places merit-qualified clubs such as Chanmari FC at a serious disadvantage despite earning our place through sporting performance.”Chanmari felt the previous model, under which AIFF managed and operated the league while providing support to participating clubs, was “more sustainable and aligned with the federation’s responsibility” as the governing body of Indian football.According to the new business model for IFL presented during the general council meeting, AIFF will get into a partnership with clubs, who will collectively take up the entire expenses of the league in exchange for its commercial rights. The AIFF, in return, will retain a 10% royalty on net revenues.From the total participation fee of approx. Rs 1.23 crore, clubs have been asked to pay the first instalment of Rs 20 lakh before Aug 15.“Indian football should be built on the principles of merit, inclusivity, fairness, and equal opportunity. The AIFF should strive to ensure that clubs with modest financial resources are not excluded from the country’s premier competitions due to financial constraints. The opportunity to compete should be determined by sporting merit rather than financial strength alone,” said Vanlalruatfamkima.Chanmari have asked AIFF to reconsider the proposed participation fee and reduce it to a level that is financially sustainable for clubs with limited resources. The club also wants the governing body to re-evaluate the proposed 90:10 ownership structure, where clubs hold 90% ownership of the league.“We believe AIFF should retain greater ownership and operational control to ensure transparency, equality, financial stability, and the long-term development of Indian football. The AIFF must adopt a league structure that promotes competitive balance, protects smaller clubs, and ensures that sporting merit remains the primary criterion for participation,” said Vanlalruatfamkima.
