I-League Explained

I-League
Pixels:190
Organiser:AIFF
Founded: (as I-League); (succeeding the National Football League)
Country:India
Confed:AFC
Teams:12
Levels:2
Promotion:Indian Super League
Relegation:I-League 2
Domest Cup:Super Cup
Durand Cup
Champions:Mohammedan (1st title)
Top Goalscorer:Ranti Martins (214 goals)
Most Successful Club:Dempo (3 titles)
Tv:EuroSport
Indian Football (YouTube)
Current:2024–25 I-League

The I-League is the men's second-tier of the Indian football league system. Currently contested by 12 clubs, It operates as a system of promotion and relegation with the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League 2.[1]

The competition was founded in 2007 as the successor to the National Football League, with the first season starting in November 2007.[2] [3] The league was launched as India's first top-tier professional football league with the aim to increase the player pool for the India national team.[3] I-League operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the I-League 2 and at first only promotion system with the ISL, from the 2022–23 season.[3]

Since the inception of the I-League, a total of ten clubs have been crowned champions. Dempo have won the most titles in league history, being crowned champions three times. Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru and Gokulam Kerala have won the league twice.[4] Salgaocar, Aizawl, Minerva Punjab, Chennai City, Roundglass Punjab and Mohammedan have won it once.

History

Origins

In 1996, the first domestic league was started in India, known as the National Football League,[5] in an effort to introduce professionalism in Indian football.[5] Despite that ambition, that has not been achieved to this date. During the National Football League days, the league suffered from poor infrastructure and unprofessionalism from its clubs. One of the clubs in the league, FC Kochin, went defunct in 2002 after it was revealed that the club had not paid salaries since 2000, after making up 2.5 crores of losses in a season.[6]

After a decade of decline with the National Football League, the All India Football Federation decided it was time for a change. This resulted in the modern day iteration of the top-tier in India.[7]

Formation

After the 2006–07 NFL season, it was announced that it would be rebranded as the I-League for the 2007–08 season.[8] The league's first season consisted of eight teams from the previous NFL campaign and two teams from the 2nd Division to form a 10 team league.[8] Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the title sponsors of the previous NFL, were named as the title sponsors of the I-League before the league kicked off in November 2007.[9] The league also announced a change in their foreign-player restrictions with the new rule being that all the clubs could sign four foreigners – three non-Asian and one which must be Asian.[10] The league also announced that, for the first season, matches will be broadcast on Zee Sports.[11]

The original ten clubs in the I-League's first season were Air India, Churchill Brothers, Dempo, East Bengal, JCT, Mahindra United, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar, Sporting Goa and Viva Kerala.

The early seasons (2007–2012)

The first I-League match took place on 24 November 2007 between Dempo and Salgaocar. The match, which took place at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, ended 3–0 in favour of Dempo with Chidi Edeh scoring the first goal in league history in the third minute.[12] After eighteen rounds it was Dempo who came out as the first champions in the I-League.[13] Viva Kerala and Salgaocar, however, ended up as the first two teams to ever be relegated from the I-League.[14]

The next season the I-League was expanded from 10 to 12 teams. Mumbai, Chirag United, Mohammedan, and Vasco were all promoted from the I-League 2 to make the expansion possible.[15] This however brought up early concerns over how "national" the I-League was. The 2008–09 season would see eleven of the twelve teams come from three different cities. The previous season saw all ten teams come from four different cities.[15] Bhaichung Bhutia, then captain of the India national team, said that it was the federations job to spread the game across the country and that it needed to happen.[15]

Regardless of the early criticism, the I-League went on as scheduled and once the 2008–09 season concluded. it was Churchill Brothers who came out on top.[16] Then, before the 2009–10 season, the league was once again expanded from 12 teams to 14. In order to make this happen Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Pune, and Shillong Lajong were all promoted from the 2nd Division to the I-League.[17] This helped the I-League retain some criticism about how national the league was as now the league would be played in seven different cities/states: Goa, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Punjab, and Shillong.[17]

After the 2009–10 season it was Dempo who came out on top for the second time in I-League history.[13]

Conflict of parties

On 9 December 2010 the All India Football Federation signed a 15-year, 700-crore deal with Reliance Industries and International Management Group of the United States.[18] The deal gave IMG-Reliance exclusive commercial rights to sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, video, franchising, and rights to create a new football league.[18] This deal came about after the AIFF ended their 10-year deal with Zee Sports five years early.[19]

Two months later, on 8 February 2011, it was reported that twelve of the fourteen I-League clubs held a private meeting in Mumbai to discuss the ongoing issues related to the league.[20] It was never revealed what was exactly talked about at this meeting.[20] Then, on 22 February, it was announced that the same twelve I-League clubs that attended the meeting would not be signing the AFC–licensing papers needed to play in the I-League.[21] The reasoning for this was because the I-League clubs were not happy over the fact that IMG-Reliance had so far done nothing to promote the I-League and that they demanded the I-League be made a separate entity from both the AIFF and IMG-Reliance.[21] At this time however there were rumours that IMG-Reliance had been planning on revamping the I-League along the same lines as Major League Soccer of the United States for the 2012–13 season.[21]

On 11 March 2012, following the disbanding of two former I-League clubs – JCT and Mahindra United, it was announced that the I-League clubs would be forming their own organization known as the Indian Professional Football Clubs Association (IPFCA) in order to safeguard their interest and promote football in India.[22] Every club, except for HAL and AIFF–owned Pailan Arrows, joined the newly formed organization.[22] Soon after, it was announced that there would be a meeting held between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA on 20 April 2012. In this meeting, IMG-Reliance would present their plan on how they would grow the I-League but the meeting never occurred for reasons unknown.[23]

Then, on 4 May 2012, the AIFF hosted the last ad hoc meeting – an annual meeting between the AFC and AIFF to assess the growth of Indian football. The AFC president at the time, Zhang Jilong, was also in attendance at this meeting.[24] It was reported that the IPFCA would use this meeting to voice their displeasure at the AIFF and IMG-Reliance but the association never showed up at the meeting.[24]

On 18 June 2012 the IPFCA was officially sanctioned under the Society's Act of 1960.[25]

League improvement

Despite the ongoing war between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA, the league did manage to improve its product on the field and awareness did increase during this period. It all started when the India national team participated in the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 for the first time in 27 years.[26] Despite being knocked-out in the group stage after losing all three of their games, India came back home more popular than ever. Subrata Pal, of Pune gained the most popularity after his impressive performances in goal for India during the Asian Cup.[27] At the same time, before the Asian Cup, Sunil Chhetri became the second Indian footballer in the modern footballing era to move abroad when he signed for the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer in 2010. He also became the first exported Indian from the I-League.[28]

The league was then given a major boost from its main derby, the Kolkata derby, between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. On 20 November 2011, 90,000 people watched at the Salt Lake Stadium as Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal 1–0.[29] The league also saw more expansion to others areas with the promotion of United Sikkim from the 2nd Division,[30] however, their reign was short lived as financial troubles saw them relegated the next season.[31]

Meanwhile, while the league continued to grow, so did the players' demand. During this period plenty of Indian players were wanted on trial by foreign clubs, mainly in Europe. After his return from MLS, Sunil Chhetri and international teammate Jeje Lalpekhlua were called for trials at Scottish Premier League side Rangers in 2011.[32] Subrata Pal had trials at RB Leipzig before finally signing for Vestsjælland in 2014.[33] And Gurpreet Singh Sandhu underwent trials at then Premier League side Wigan Athletic and finally signing for Stabæk Fotball, Norway in 2014.[34]

At the same time, as Indian players demand abroad increased, the demand for higher quality foreigners in the I-League also increased. Former A-League player of the year and Costa Rican international Carlos Hernández signed with Prayag United before the 2012–13 season from the Melbourne Victory.[35] Lebanese international Bilal Najjarine also signed with Churchill Brothers in 2012.[36]

Demotion to second tier

On 18 May 2016, IMGReliance, along with the AIFF and I-League representatives met during a meeting in Mumbai. At the meeting, it was proposed that starting from the 2017–18 season, the Indian Super League becomes the top-tier football league in India while the I-League gets relegated to the second tier, but the idea was not entertained by the I-League representatives.[37]

In 2017, FIFA and the AFC had appointed a committee to look at the footballing landscape in the country which was in disarray due to two simultaneous leagues running together, and come up with solutions to re-establish a singular league pyramid which would be acceptable for everyone.[38] In the month of June, IMG–Reliance, the AIFF and the I-League representatives, met with the AFC in Kuala Lumpur in order to find a new way forward for Indian football.[39] The AFC were against allowing the ISL as the premier league in India while the clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan wanted a complete merger of ISL and I-League.[39] A couple weeks later, the AIFF proposed that both ISL and I-League run simultaneously on a short–term basis with the I-League champions retaining the spot for the AFC Champions League qualifying stage, while the AFC Cup qualifying stage spot going to the ISL champions.[40] The proposal from the AIFF was officially approved by the AFC on 25 July 2017, with the ISL replacing the domestic cup competition, the Federation Cup.[41]

On 14 October 2019, the AFC held a summit in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by the AFC Secretary General Windsor John, which involved key stakeholders from the AIFF, the FSDL, the ISL and the I-League clubs, and other major stakeholders to propose a new roadmap to facilitate the football league system in India.[42] Based on the roadmap that was prepared by the AFC and the AIFF at the summit and was finally approved by the AFC Executive Committee on 26 October in Da Nang, in 2019–20 season, ISL will attain the country's top-tier league status, allowing the ISL premiers to play AFC Champions League and the I-League champions to play AFC Cup.[43] In addition, starting with the 2022–23 season, I-League will lose the top-tier status, wherein the champion of the I-League will stand a chance to be promoted to the ISL with no participation fee. In its recommendation for 2024–25, it was agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation between the two leagues, and abolition of parallel league system.[44]

Competition format

Since the league began in 2007, the rules have changed almost yearly. Currently, the league has 12 teams. Each club plays each other twice during the season, once at home and the other time away. At the end of the season, the team with the most points wins the league and gains promotion to the top flight Indian Super League. In the case of a tie then head-to-head record is looked upon. Further, in the case of a tie the goal difference is looked upon the tied teams.[45]

Clubs

A total of 39 clubs have participated so far in the I-League since its inception from 2007, up to the 2023-24 season.

Current clubs

See also: 2024–25 I-League.

ClubState/UTCityStadiumCapacity
AizawlMizoramAizawlRajiv Gandhi Stadium20,000
Churchill BrothersGoaVascoTilak Maidan5,000
DelhiDelhiNew DelhiNamdhari Stadium1,000
DempoGoaPanajiNagoa Ground10,000
Gokulam KeralaKeralaKozhikodeEMS Stadium50,000
Inter KashiUttar PradeshVaranasiKalyani Stadium20,000
NamdhariPunjabBhaini SahibNamdhari Stadium1,000
Rajasthan UnitedRajasthanJaipurDeccan Arena1,500
Kalyani Stadium20,000
Real KashmirJammu & KashmirSrinagarTRC Turf Ground11,000
Shillong LajongMeghalayaShillongSSA Stadium5,000
Sreenidi DeccanTelanganaHyderabadDeccan Arena1,500
Sporting BengaluruKarnatakaBangalore Football Stadium8,400

All-time points table

The following is a list of clubs that have played in the I-League at any time since its formation in 2007 to the current season. Teams playing in the next season are indicated in bold.

I-League
Indian Super League
I-league 2
I-League 3 & State leagues
Defunct clubs
Operational academies
Pos.Team1st2nd3rdHighest finish
1 Churchill Brothers 14 303 139 83 81 525 369 155 499 2 3 2 2007–082023–24
213 276 126 75 75 425 282 143 453 0 4 3 2007–08
3 13 276 126 85 65 430 301 129 4512 3 1 2007–08
4 Dempo 8 188 90 52 46 337 209 128 322 3 0 1 2007–08
5 8 182 70 46 66 258 229 29 256 1 0 1
6 Shillong Lajong 10 218 61 63 94 256 353 -97 246 0 0 0 2009–10
7 8 178 62 57 59 241 249 -8 243 0 0 1
9 Aizawl 10 181 63 47 71 234 228 6 236 1 0 0 2023–24
8 6 148 63 45 40 219 168 51 234 0 1 1
10 9 204 53 72 79 219 281 -62 231 0 0 0
11Gokulam Kerala7 132 61 30 41 218 155 60 213 2 0 1 2017–182023–24
12 6 150 48 55 47 202 200 2 199 0 0 0
13Punjab (including Minerva Punjab season records)7 127 52 35 40 170 149 21 191 2 0 0 2016–172022–23
146 125 49 34 42 174 161 13 181 1 2 0 2008–092023–24
15 Real Kashmir 6 113 43 39 31 150 121 29 168 0 0 1 2023–24
16 9 178 38 43 97 143 287 -144 157 0 0 0 2021–22
17 4 78 42 20 16 131 79 52 146 2 1 0
18NEROCA7 132 38 30 64 155 211 -56 144 0 1 0 2017–182023–24
19 6 144 33 45 66 142 249 -107 144 0 0 0
20 6 112 36 25 51 134 178 -44 133 0 0 1 2023–24
21Sreenidi Deccan3 64 36 14 14 125 74 51 122 0 2 1 2021–222023–24
22JCT4 92 29 27 36 93 100 -7 114 0 0 1 2007–082010–11
23Chennai City5 85 31 21 33 112 126 -14 114 1 0 0 2016–172020–21
24Mahindra United3 66 25 25 16 97 69 28 100 0 0 0 2007–082009–10
25Viva Kerala4 96 22 23 51 96 160 -64 89 0 0 0 2007–082011–12
26Rajasthan United3 64 18 18 28 75 111 -36 72 0 0 0 2021–222023–24
27 2 52 12 19 21 55 76 -21 55 0 0 0
28 3 48 13 13 22 42 60 -18 52 0 0 0 2022–23
29 Inter Kashi 1 24 11 8 5 47 41 6 41 0 0 0
30 2 34 7 12 15 38 55 -17 33 0 0 0
31 Delhi 1 24 11 2 11 44 40 4 35 0 0 0
32 2 52 7 11 34 37 108 -71 32 0 0 0
33Royal Wahingdoh1 20 8 6 6 27 27 0 30 0 0 1 2014–152014–15
34Kenkre2 39 6 11 22 34 65 -31 29 0 0 0 2021–222022–23
35 Namdhari 1 24 7 6 11 29 40 -11 27 0 0 0
36Rangdajied United1 24 6 7 11 29 38 -9 25 0 0 0 2013–142013–14
37Bharat1 20 4 6 10 13 28 -15 18 0 0 0 2014–152014–15
38United Sikkim1 26 2 9 15 23 63 -40 15 0 0 0 2012–132012–13
39Vasco1 22 2 4 16 14 49 -35 10 0 0 0 2008–092008–09
40 Sporting Bengaluru - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Clubs qualifying for I-League

Direct corporate bid entered clubs to I-League!Season!Clubs
2013–14Bengaluru
2014–15Bharat
2015–16DSK Shivajians
2016–17Churchill Brothers, Chennai City, Minerva Punjab
2017–18
2020–21Sudeva Delhi
2021–22Sreenidi Deccan
2023–24Inter Kashi, Namdhari
Promoted clubs from I-League 2 to I-League!Season!Clubs
2008Mumbai, Mohammedan, United, Vasco
2009Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Shillong Lajong, Pune
2010ONGC, HAL
2011Shillong Lajong, Sporting Goa
2012ONGC, United Sikkim
2013Rangdajied United, Mohammedan
2014Royal Wahingdoh
2015Aizawl
2015–16Dempo
2016–17NEROCA
2017–18Real Kashmir
2018–19TRAU
2020Mohammedan
2021Rajasthan United, Mumbai Kenkre
2022–23Delhi, Shillong Lajong
2023–24Sporting Bengaluru, Dempo

Clubs promoted/relegated from I-League

Promoted clubs from I-League to Indian Super League!Season!Clubs
2022–23RoundGlass Punjab
2023–24Mohammedan
Relegated clubs from I-League to I-League 2!Season!Clubs
2007–08Viva Kerala, Salgaocar
2008–09Mohammedan, Vasco
2009–10Sporting Clube de Goa, Shillong Lajong
2010–11JCT, ONGC
2011–12Viva Kerala, HAL
2012–13Air India, United Sikkim
2013–14Mohammedan
2014–15Dempo
2015–16None
2016–17Mumbai
2017–18None
2018–19Shillong Lajong
2019–20None
2020–21None
2021–22None
2022–23Mumbai Kenkre, Sudeva Delhi
2023–24NEROCA, TRAU

Timeline

DateFormat = yyyyImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20Period = from:2007 till:2025TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalLegend = orientation:horizontal position:bottomPlotArea = right:70 left:0 bottom:75 top:0 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#

Colors = id:line value:pink id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) legend:League_member id:Former value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.67) legend:Former_member id:Future value:rgb(0.5,0.7,0.95) legend:Future_member id:Other value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) legend:Other_leagues

PlotData=

width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:S

bar:1 color:Full from:2007 till:2014 text: Churchill Brothers (2007–2014) bar:1 color:Full from:2016 till:end text: Churchill Brothers (2016–present)

bar:2 color:Former from:2007 till:2020 text: Mohun Bagan (2007–2020) bar:2 color:Other from:2020 till:end text: ISL

bar:3 color:Former from:2007 till:2020 text: East Bengal (2007–2020) bar:3 color:Other from:2020 till:end text: ISL

bar:4 color:Full from:2007 till:2016 text: Dempo (2007–2016) bar:4 color:Other from:2016 till:2022 text: Goa Pro League bar:4 color:Other from:2022 till:2024 text: IL-2 bar:4 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Dempo (2024–present)

bar:5 color:Former from:2007 till:2008: text: [(i)] bar:5 color:Other from:2008 till:2009 text: IL-2 bar:5 color:Former from:2009 till:2016 text: [(ii)] •(i) Salgaocar (2007–2008) •(ii) Salgaocar (2009-2016) bar:5 color:Other from:2016 till:end text: Goa Pro League

bar:6 color:Former from:2007 till:2016 text: Sporting Goa (2007–2016) bar:6 color:Other from:2016 till:end text: Goa Pro League bar:7 color:Former from:2007 till:2013 text: Air India (2007–2013) bar:7 color:Other from:2013 till:end text: Mumbai Football League

bar:8 color:Former from:2007 till:2011 text: JCT (2007–2011)

bar:9 color:Former from:2007 till:2010 text: Mahindra United (2007–2010)

bar:10 color:Former from:2007 till:2012 text: Viva Kerala (2007–2012)

bar:11 color:Former from:2008 till:2017 text: Mumbai (2008-2017) bar:11 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2

bar:12 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2 bar:12 color:Former from:2008 till:2014 text: United SC(2008–2014) bar:12 color:Other from:2014 till:2015 text: IL-2 bar:12 color:Other from:2022 till:2023 text: IL-2 bar:12 color:Other from:2015 till:2022 text: Calcutta Football League

bar:13 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2 bar:13 color:Former from:2008 till:2009 text: [(iii)] bar:13 color:Other from:2009 till:2013 text: IL-2 •(iii) Mohammedan (2008–2009) bar:13 color:Former from:2013 till:2014 text: [(iv)] bar:13 color:Other from:2014 till:2020 text: IL-2 •(iv) Mohammedan (2013–2014) bar:13 color:Former from:2020 till:2024 text: Mohammedan (2020–2024) bar:13 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: ISL

bar:14 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2 bar:14 color:Former from:2008 till:2009 text: [(v)] bar:14 color:Other from:2009 till:2010 text: IL-2 bar:14 color:Other from:2010 till:end text: Goa Pro League •(v) Vasco (2008-2009)

bar:15 color:Other from:2007 till:2009 text: IL-2 bar:15 color:Former from:2009 till:2015 text: Pune (2009-15)

bar:16 color:Other from:2008 till:2009 text: IL-2 bar:16 color:Full from:2009 till:2019 text: Shillong Lajong (2009-2019) bar:16 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Shillong Lajong (2023–present) bar:16 color:Other from:2019 till:2022 text: Shillong Premier League bar:16 color:Other from:2022 till:2023 text: IL-2

bar:17 color:Former from:2010 till:2013 text:AIFF XI/Pailan Arrows (2010-2013) bar:17 color:Former from:2017 till:2022 text: Indian Arrows (2017-2022)

bar:18 color:Former from:2010 till:2013 text: ONGC (2010-2013) bar:18 color:Other from:2007 till:2010 text: IL-2

bar:19 color:Other from:2007 till:2008 text: IL-2 bar:19 color:Other from:2009 till:2010 text: IL-2 bar:19 color:Former from:2010 till:2012 text: HAL (2010-2012) bar:19 color:Other from:2012 till:end text: Bangalore Super Division

bar:20 color:Former from:2012 till:2013 text: [(vi)] bar:20 color:Other from:2010 till:2012 text: IL-2 bar:20 color:Other from:2013 till:2014 text: IL-2 bar:20 color:Other from:2014 till:end text: Sikkim Premier League •(vi) United Sikkim (2012-2013)

bar:21 color:Other from:2017 till:end text: ISL bar:21 color: Former from:2013 till:2017 text: Bengaluru (2013-2017)

bar:22 color:Other from:2009 till:2013 text: IL-2 bar:22 color:Former from:2013 till:2014 text: [(vii)] bar:22 color:Other from:2014 till:end text: Shillong Premier League •(vii) Rangdajied United (2013-2014)

bar:23 color:Former from:2014 till:2015 text: Royal Wahingdoh (2014-2015) bar:23 color:Other from:2010 till:2014 text: IL-2

bar:24 color:Former from:2014 till:2015 text: Bharat (2014-2015)

bar:25 color:Other from:2007 till:2011 text: Mizoram Premier League bar:25 color:Other from:2011 till:2015 text: IL-2 bar:25 color:Full from:2015 till:end text: Aizawl (2015–present)

bar:26 color:Former from:2015 till:2017 text: DSK Shivajians (2015-2017) bar:26 color:Other from:2007 till:2013 text: Pune Football League bar:26 color:Other from:2012 till:2013 text: IL-2 bar:27 color:Other from:2015 till:2016 text: IL-2 bar:27 color:Former from:2016 till:2020 text: Minerva Punjab (2016-2020) bar:27 color:Former from:2020 till:2023 text: RoundGlass Punjab (2020-2023) bar:27 color:Other from:2023 till:end text: ISL

bar:28 color:Former from:2016 till:2021 text: Chennai City (2016-2021)

bar:29 color:Full from:2017 till:end text: Gokulam (2017–present)

bar:30 color:Other from:2015 till:2017 text: IL-2 bar:30 color:Former from:2017 till:2024 text: NEROCA (2017–2024) bar:30 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: IL-2 bar:31 color:Full from:2018 till:end text: Real Kashmir (2018–present) bar:31 color:Other from:2016 till:2018 text: IL-2

bar:32 color:Other from:2017 till:2019 text: IL-2 bar:32 color:Former from:2019 till:2024 text: TRAU (2019–2024) bar:32 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: IL-2

bar:33 color:Other from:2007 till:2020 text: Delhi Football League bar:33 color:Former from:2020 till:2023 text: Sudeva Delhi (2020-2023) bar:33 color:Other from:2023 till:end text: IL-2

bar:34 color:Full from:2021 till:end text: Sreenidi Deccan (2021–present)

bar:35 color:Full from:2021 till:end text: Rajasthan United (2021–present) bar:35 color:Other from:2020 till:2021 text: IL-2

bar:36 color:Former from:2021 till:2023 text: Kenkre (2021-2023) bar:36 color:Other from:2023 till:2024 text: IL-2 bar:36 color:Other from:2024 till:end text: IL-3 bar:36 color:Other from:2010 till:2017 text: IL-2 bar:36 color:Other from:2017 till:2021 text: Mumbai Football League bar:36 color:Other from:2020 till:2021 text: IL-2

bar:37 color:Other from:2007 till:2020 text: Delhi Football League bar:37 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Delhi (2023–present) bar:37 color:Other from:2020 till:2023 text: IL-2

bar:38 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Inter Kashi (2023–present) bar:39 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: Namdhari (2023–present) bar:40 color:Other from:2023 till:2024 text: IL-3 IL-2 bar:40 color:Full from:2024 till:end text: Sporting Bengaluru (2024-present)

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:2007TextData = fontsize:L textcolor:black pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center) text:

Sponsorship

Since the original National Football League, the Indian league has always been sponsored. When the I-League began in 2007 the last sponsor from the old National Football League, ONGC, were brought in as the sponsors, making the league be known as the ONGC I-League.[46] However, after the 2010–11 season, the deal with ONGC was not renewed and the I-League was left without a sponsorship deal till 2013.[47] On 24 September 2013, it was announced that telecommunications company, Airtel would be the new title sponsor of the I-League, thus making the league known as the Airtel I-League.[48] In December 2014, it was announced that Hero MotoCorp would replace Airtel as the title sponsor for the league and hence the league would be known has Hero I-League.[49] The league is currently without a title sponsor, as Hero decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with Indian football after 2022–23 season.[50]

PeriodTitle sponsorTournament name
2007–11 ONGCONGC I-League
2011–13noneI-League
2013–14 AirtelAirtel I-League
2014–2023 HeroHero I-League
2023–present noneI-League

Media coverage

PeriodTV telecastOnline streaming
2007–10Zee Sports
2010–17Ten Action, Ten SportsDittoTV
2017–19Star SportsHotstar, JioTV
2019–22Facebook, JioTV
2022–23Eurosport, DD SportsDiscovery plus
2023–EurosportYouTube, FanCode

Stadiums

Home stadiums (2023–24)

AizawlChurchill BrothersGokulam KeralaShillong LajongNamdhariSporting Bengaluru
Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, AizawlTilak Maidan, MargaoEMS Stadium, KozhikodeSSA Stadium, ShillongNamdhari Stadium, Bhaini SahibBangalore Football Stadium, Bengaluru
Capacity: 20,000Capacity: 5,000Capacity: 50,000Capacity: 5,000Capacity: 1,000Capacity: 8,400
Rajasthan UnitedReal KashmirInter KashiSreenidi DeccanDelhiDempo
Rajasthan University Sports Complex,Jaipur[51] TRC Turf Ground, SrinagarKalyani Stadium, KalyaniDeccan Arena, HyderabadNamdhari Stadium, Bhaini SahibNagoa Ground, Panaji
Capacity: 6,000Capacity: 11,000Capacity: 20,000Capacity: 1,500Capacity: 1,000Capacity: 10,000

Coaches

The role of the head coach in the I-League varies from club to club. Some like to appoint technical or sporting directors as well as manager-style coaches.[52] The All India Football Federation does impose licensing requirements for head coaches in the I-League, the rule being that the head coach must have an AFC Professional Coaching Diploma in order to coach in the I-League. However, some clubs and coaches like Subhash Bhowmick, Subrata Bhattacharya, Sukhwinder Singh and Bimal Ghosh were known for accepting a technical director role in order to bypass the head coaching requirements. This has bought about a lot of controversial news, most recently being when Churchill Brothers won the I-League after the 2012–13 season with Subhash Bhowmick not winning the "Coach of the Year" award, due to being listed as the technical director.

Seeing this, the AIFF technical director, Rob Baan, as well as others, advocated that the federation make it mandatory for both technical directors and head coaches to have an AFC Pro-Diploma.[52] On 14 May 2014 this was officially put into act by the AIFF during their I-League licensing committee meeting.[53]

In terms of coaching performance, after the first seven seasons of the I-League, an Indian head coach has won the I-League four times while a foreign head coach has won it three times. Zoran Đorđević of Serbia was the first foreign head coach to win the I-League.[54] [55] Italian coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese became the first coach to win back-to-back I-League titles in 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.

Armando Colaco was the first Indian coach to win the I-League in the league's opening season and he has the most I-League championships at three.[56] Khogen Singh is the latest Indian coach to win the I-League in 2017–18 season.[57]

+ Current coaches in the I-League
Nat.NameClubAppointedTime since appointment
Malsawmzuala Sailo
Shareef Khan
Pushpender Kundu
Francesc Bonet
Yan Law
Harpreet Singh
Chinta Chandrashekar Rao
+ Winning head coaches
Head coachWinsWinning year(s)Team
Armando Colaco32007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12Dempo
Ashley Westwood22013–14, 2015–16Bengaluru
Vincenzo Alberto Annese2020–21, 2021–22Gokulam Kerala
Staikos Vergetis12022–23RoundGlass Punjab
Kibu Vicuña2019–20Mohun Bagan
Akbar Nawas2018–19Chennai City
Khogen Singh2017–18Minerva Punjab
Khalid Jamil2016–17Aizawl
Sanjoy Sen2014–15Mohun Bagan
Mariano Dias2012–13Churchill Brothers
Karim Bencherifa2010–11Salgaocar
Zoran Đorđević2008–09Churchill Brothers
Andrey Chernyshov2023–24Mohammedan

Champions

Successful clubs by seasons

SeasonChampionsRunners-upThird placeTeams
2007–08Dempo (1/3)Churchill BrothersJCT10
2008–09Churchill Brothers (1/2)Mohun BaganSporting Goa12
2009–10Dempo (2/3)Churchill BrothersPune14
2010–11SalgaocarEast BengalDempo14
2011–12Dempo (3/3)East BengalChurchill Brothers14
2012–13Churchill Brothers (2/2)PuneEast Bengal14
2013–14Bengaluru (1/2)East BengalSalgaocar13
2014–15Mohun Bagan (1/2)BengaluruRoyal Wahingdoh11
2015–16Bengaluru (2/2)Mohun BaganEast Bengal9
2016–17AizawlMohun BaganEast Bengal10
2017–18NEROCAMohun Bagan10
2018–19East BengalReal Kashmir11
2019–20Mohun Bagan (2/2)Not Awarded 11
2020–21Gokulam Kerala (1/2)Churchill BrothersTRAU11
2021–22Gokulam Kerala (2/2)MohammedanSreenidi Deccan13
2022–23Sreenidi DeccanGokulam Kerala12
2023–24Sreenidi DeccanGokulam Kerala13
Notes:

Performance by clubs

Club Titles Runners-up Third place Winning seasons Runners-up seasons Third place seasons
Dempo3012007–08, 2009–10, 2011–122010–11
Churchill Brothers2312008–09, 2012–132007–08, 2009–10,2020–212011–12
Mohun Bagan2312014–15, 2019–202008–09, 2015–16, 2016–172017–18
Bengaluru2102013–14, 2015–162014–15
Gokulam Kerala2022020–21, 2021–222022–23, 2023–24
Mohammedan11 02023–242021–22
Salgaocar1012010–112013–14
Minerva Punjab1002017–18
Aizawl1002016–17
Chennai City1002018–19
RoundGlass Punjab1002022–23
East Bengal0432010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2018–192012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17
Sreenidi Deccan0212022–23, 2023–242021–22
Pune0112012–132009–10
NEROCA0102017–18
JCT0012007–08
Sporting Goa0012008–09
Royal Wahingdoh0012014–15
Real Kashmir0012018–19
TRAU0012020–21

Stats and players

Individual game highest attendance records

RankHome teamScoreAway teamAttendanceStadiumDate
align=center 1Mohun Bagan align=center 1–0 East Bengal align=center 90,000Salt Lake Stadium
align=center 2Mohun Bagan align=center 0–1 East Bengal align=center 80,000Salt Lake Stadium
align=center 3Mohun Bagan align=center 2–1 East Bengal align=center 63,756Salt lake Stadium
align=center 4Mohun Bagan align=center 1–1 East Bengal align=center 63,342Salt Lake Stadium
align=center 5Mohun Bagan align=center 1–0 East Bengal align=center 57,780Salt Lake Stadium

Seasonal statistics

Season Total goals Matches played Average per game
226 90 2.51[58]
318 1322.41[59]
486 182 2.67[60]
489 182 2.69[61]
521 182 2.88[62]
530 182 2.91[63]
402 156 2.47[64]
280 110 2.55[65]
186 72 2.58[66]
225 90 2.5[67]
204 90 2.27[68]
303 109 2.78
187 69 2.71
2020–21216802.7
2021–222941142.58
2022–233601322.73
2023–245031563.22

Player transfer fees

Top transfer fees paid by I-League clubs

Rank Player Fee (min) Year Transfer OutTransfer InReference
1 Uga Okpara2009 Enyimba East Bengal
2 Odafa Onyeka Okolie2011 Mohun Bagan Churchill Brothers
3 Lester Fernandez2012 Pune Prayag United
4 Ronaldo Oliveira2019 Salgaocar East Bengal

Top transfer fees received by I-League clubs

Rank Player Fee (min) Year Transfer OutTransfer InReference
1 Khalid Aucho2019 Churchill Brothers Misr Lel Makkasa[69]
2 Sunil Chhetri2014 Bengaluru Mumbai City
3 Pedro Manzi2020 Chennai City Albirex Niigata
4 Eugeneson Lyngdoh2014 Bengaluru Pune City

Top scorers

See main article: I-League Golden Boot. Season after season, players in the I-League compete for the golden boot title, which is awarded at the end of each season to the top scorer throughout the entire season. The most recent winner of the golden boot is Bidyashagar Singh, who won the golden boot at the end of the 2020–21 season after scoring 12 goals. Ranti Martins is both currently the holders of the most golden boot titles with five golden boots. Along with Odafa Onyeka Okolie, the two Nigerians make up the eight golden boots won by Nigerians, the most of any nationality in the league.

Season!scope="col"
PlayerClubGoalsRef(s)
2007–08 Odafe Onyeka OkolieChurchill Brothers22[70]
2008–09 Odafe Onyeka OkolieChurchill Brothers26
2009–10 Odafe Onyeka OkolieChurchill Brothers22
2010–11 Ranti MartinsDempo30
2011–12 Ranti MartinsDempo32[71]
2012–13 Ranti MartinsPrayag United27[72]
2013–14 Sunil ChhetriBengaluru FC14[73]
Darryl DuffySalgaocar
Cornell GlenShillong Lajong
2014–15 Ranti MartinsEast Bengal17
2015–16 Ranti MartinsEast Bengal12
2016–17 Aser Pierrick DipandaShillong Lajong11
2017–18 Aser Pierrick DipandaMohun Bagan13
2018–19 Pedro ManziChennai City FC21[74]
Willis PlazaChurchill Brothers S.C.
2019–20Not Awarded
2020–21 Bidyashagar SinghTRAU FC12
2021–22 Marcus Joseph15
scope=row align=left Luka MajcenRoundGlass Punjab16
scope=row align=left Álex SánchezGokulam Kerala19
Season!scope="col"
PlayerClubGoalsRef(s)
2007–08Bhaichung BhutiaMohun Bagan9[75]
2008–09Sunil ChhetriEast Bengal9
2009–10Mohammed RafiMahindra United13
2010–11Jeje LalpekhluaIndian Arrows13
2011–12Chinadorai SabeethPailan Arrows9
2012–13C. K. VineethPrayag United7
2013–14Sunil ChhetriBengaluru14
2014–15Thongkhosiem HaokipPune7
2015–16Sunil ChhetriBengaluru5
Sushil Kumar SinghMumbai
2016–17Sunil ChettriBengaluru7
C. K. VineethBengaluru
2017–18Abhijit SarkarIndian Arrows4
Subhash SinghNEROCA
2018–19Jobby JustinEast Bengal9[76]
2019–20Not Awarded
2020–21Bidyashagar SinghTRAU12
2021–22Thahir ZamanGokulam Kerala5
Shubho PaulSudeva Delhi
2022–23Seilenthang LotjemSudeva Delhi6
Samuel KynshiReal Kashmir
2023–24Lalrinzuala LalbiakniaAizawl15

Awards

The trophy

The I-League has only been awarding a proper trophy to the champion since 2013 when the 2012–13 season champions, Churchill Brothers, won the league.[77] Before 2013 the I-League champions received a basic trophy.[77] The new trophy was designed in Europe and is modeled along the lines of the champion trophies in the top European leagues.[77] Regarding the trophy, the AIFF general secretary, Kushal Das, said: "It is the endeavour of AIFF to practice the best principles of other leagues and accordingly we thought to create a more contemporary look to the I-League trophy in line with trophies given in European leagues".[77]

Season awards

End of the season I-League awards were previously conducted by the Football Players' Association of India and All India Football Federation since 2008–09 season. Currently the awards include the Hero of the league, the golden boot, the golden glove, the best head coach (Syed Abdul Rahim Award), the best defender (Jarnail Singh Award), the best midfielder and the emerging player of the league, all of which are sponsored by Hero.

Hero of the League

SeasonPlayerTeam
2016–17 Sunil ChhetriBengaluru
2018–19 Pedro ManziChennai City
2020–21 Bidyashagar SinghTRAU
2021–22 Marcus JosephMohammedan

Syed Abdul Rahim Award

SeasonHead coachTeam
2008–09 Dave BoothMumbai
2009–10 Armando ColacoDempo
2010–11 Karim BencherifaSalgaocar
2011–12 Trevor MorganEast Bengal
2012–13 Derrick PereiraPune
2013–14 Ashley WestwoodBengaluru
2014–15 Sanjoy SenMohun Bagan
2015–16 Ashley WestwoodBengaluru
2016–17 Khalid JamilAizawl
2017–18 Gift RaikhanNEROCA
2018–19[78] Akbar NawasChennai City
2020–21[79] L. Nandakumar SinghTRAU
2021–22 Vincenzo Alberto AnneseGokulam Kerala

Emerging player of the season

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2008–09 Baljit SahniForwardJCT
2009–10 Joaquim AbranchesForwardDempo
2010–11 Jeje LalpekhluaForwardPailan Arrows
2011–12 Manandeep SinghForwardPailan Arrows
2012–13 Alwyn GeorgeMidfielderPailan Arrows
2013–14 Alwyn GeorgeMidfielderDempo
2015–16 Udanta SinghWingerBengaluru
2016–17 Jerry LalrinzualaLeft BackDSK Shivajians
2017–18[80] Samuel LalmuanpuiaMidfielderShillong Lajong
2018–19[81] Phrangi BuamMidfielderShillong Lajong
2020–21 Emil BennyForwardGokulam Kerala
2021–22 Jiteshwor SinghMidfielderNEROCA

Foreign player of the year

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2008–09[82] Odafe Onyeka OkolieForwardChurchill Brothers
2009–10[83] Odafe Onyeka OkolieForwardChurchill Brothers
2010–11[84] BetoMidfielderDempo
2011–12[85] Ranti MartinsForwardDempo
2012–13[86] Ranti MartinsForwardPrayag United
2013–14[87] Darryl DuffyForwardSalgaocar

Indian Player of the Season

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2008–09 Sunil ChhetriForwardEast Bengal
2009–10 Mohammed RafiForwardMahindra United
2010–11 Mehtab HossainMidfielderEast Bengal
2011–12[88] Syed NabiDefenderMohun Bagan
2012–13 Lenny RodriguesMidfielderChurchill Brothers
2013–14 Balwant SinghForwardChurchill Brothers

Fans' player of the year

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2008–09[89] Odafe Onyeka OkolieForwardChurchill Brothers
2009–10 Subrata PalGoalkeeperPune
2010–11 Mehtab HossainMidfielderEast Bengal
2011–12 Francis FernandesMidfielderSalgaocar
2012–13 Zohib Islam AmiriDefenderMumbai
2013–14 Boithang HaokipMidfielderShillong Lajong

I-League clubs in Asia

See main article: Indian football clubs in Asian competition.

Traditionally, I-League clubs have done particularly well in the AFC Cup. In 2008 Dempo managed to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup before being defeated by Al-Safa of Lebanon.[90] East Bengal also managed to reach the semi-finals in 2013 before being knocked-out by Al-Kuwait.[91] Bengaluru is the only I-League club to reach the AFC Cup Final in 2016 but lost to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya of Iraq.[92]

However, in the AFC Champions League, no I-League club has ever managed to make it past the qualifiers.[93]

SeasonAFC CupPositionAFC Champions LeaguePosition
2008–09Mohun BaganDemporowspan=2
Dempostyle="background:#c96;"
2009–10East BengalChurchill Brothersrowspan=2
Churchill Brothers
2010–11East BengalDemporowspan=2
Dempo
2011–12East BengalSalgaocarDNP
Salgaocar
2012–13East BengalChurchill BrothersDNP
Churchill Brothers
2013–14Churchill BrothersPunerowspan=2
Pune
2014–15BengaluruBengalururowspan=2
East Bengal
2015–16Mohun BaganMohun Baganrowspan=2
Bengalurustyle="background:silver;"
2016–17BengaluruBengalururowspan=2
Mohun Bagan
2017–18AizawlAizawlrowspan="2"
Bengaluru
2019Minerva PunjabMinerva Punjab
2018–19Chennai Citydata-sort-value="1"CancelledChennai City
2019–20
2020–21Gokulam Kerala

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New roadmap for Indian football proposes Hero ISL as premier league. www.indiansuperleague.com. en.
  2. Web site: History of I-League . AIFF . i-league.org . 27 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230614150349/https://i-league.org/about-us/history-of-i-league/ . 14 June 2023.
  3. News: AIFF's I-League to have 10 teams . 27 June 2018 . Rediff . 21 November 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042458/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm . 4 March 2016 . live .
  4. Web site: Brilliant Gokulam Kerala FC edge past Mohammedan SC to win historic consecutive I-League titles. www.sportskeeda.com. Sportskeeda. 14 May 2022. 15 May 2022. Sayantan. Guha. Kolkata, West Bengal. https://web.archive.org/web/20220515124228/https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/news-brilliant-gokulam-kerala-fc-edge-past-mohammedan-sc-win-consecutive-i-league-titles. 15 May 2022.
  5. Web site: Indian National League (I-League) 2011–12 Season Review . Goalden Times . 6 July 2012 . 11 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151007072457/http://www.goaldentimes.org/indian-national-league-i-league-2011-12-season-review/ . 7 October 2015 . live .
  6. Web site: Radhakrishnan . M.G. . The final whistle . India Today . 6 May 2002 . 11 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140717065437/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/first-indian-professional-football-club-fc-kochin-faces-closure-as-players-migrate/1/219886.html . 17 July 2014 . live .
  7. Web site: History . ileague.in . 11 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140716214408/http://ileague.in/history/ . 16 July 2014 . dead .
  8. Web site: AIFF's I-League to have 10 teams . Rediff . 11 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924162341/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/21aiff.htm . 24 September 2015 . live .
  9. News: Amin-ul Islam . Mohammad . I-League partners ONGC cry foul . Times of India . 28 November 2007 . 11 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180928143611/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/I-League-partners-ONGC-cry-foul/articleshow/2579593.cms . 28 September 2018 . live .
  10. Web site: I-League Clubs have Too Many Foreigners: Bhutia . Outlook India . 11 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140716233754/http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/ILeague-Clubs-have-Too-Many-Foreigners-Bhutia/668120 . 16 July 2014 . live .
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  12. Web site: Dempo beat Salgaocar 3–0 with Chidi's brace . ONE India . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140717080112/http://news.oneindia.in/2007/11/24/dempo-beat-salgaocar-3-0-with-chidis-brace-1195916716.html . 17 July 2014 . live .
  13. News: Dempo SC is I-League champion . The Hindu . 20 April 2012 . 14 July 2014 . 17 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200217162307/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/dempo-sc-is-ileague-champion/article3336931.ece . live .
  14. Web site: Salgaocar, Viva Kerala relegated from I-League . www.theindian.com . Tha Indian . 17 February 2008. 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140717185553/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/salgaocar-viva-kerala-relegated-from-i-league_10018495.html . 17 July 2014 . Margao, Goa. dead.
  15. Web site: Rajan . P Sujesh . Is the I-League a national tournament? . Indian Express . 14 July 2014 . https://archive.today/20140717164438/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/is-the-ileague-a-national-tournament-/364621/ . 17 July 2014 . live .
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  17. Web site: Shillong's Lajong FC defy odds . Telegraph India . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140716173547/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090419/jsp/sports/story_10842811.jsp . 16 July 2014 . dead .
  18. News: AIFF signs 700-crore deal with IMG-RIL . Times of India . 9 December 2010 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140530143649/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/AIFF-signs-700-crore-deal-with-IMG-RIL/articleshow/7072492.cms?referral=PM . 30 May 2014 . live .
  19. Web site: AIFF approaches Jindal, Videocon to sponsor I-League . Top News . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141026065117/http://topnews.in/sports/aiff-approaches-jindal-videocon-sponsor-i-league-214114 . 26 October 2014 . live .
  20. Web site: Sengupta . Somnath . Indian Football : BREAKING NEWS (8th February, 2012) : I-League Clubs On War Path With AIFF? . The Hard Tackle . 8 February 2012 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314133754/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/indian-football-breaking-news-8th-february-2012-i-league-clubs-on-war-path-with-aiff/ . 14 March 2014 . live .
  21. News: I-League clubs refuse to accept AIFF diktat . Times of India . 22 February 2012 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120316032301/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/I-League-clubs-refuse-to-accept-AIFF-diktat/articleshow/11982740.cms . 16 March 2012 . live .
  22. Web site: I-League club owners press for sustainable revenue model . The Hindu . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314144740/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/article2982415.ece . 14 March 2014 . live .
  23. Web site: Bali . Rahul . AIFF and IMG-Reliance's 'Slack' behaviour results in no plan on Indian football being presented . Goal.com . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314141014/http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/3059078 . 14 March 2014 . live .
  24. Web site: Bali . Rahul . AFC president Zhang Jilong greeted with I-League clubs' absence . Goal.com . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103939/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/05/05/3081509/afc-president-zhang-jilong-greeted-with-i-league-clubs . 3 March 2015 . live .
  25. Web site: IPFCA office bearers nominated . SportsKeeda . 16 June 2012 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140716061923/http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/ipfca-office-bearers-nominated/ . 16 July 2014 . live .
  26. Web site: After 27 years, India bids to make mark on Asian Cup . Dawn . 3 January 2011 . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140719002853/http://www.dawn.com/news/595840/after-27-years-india-bids-to-make-mark-on-asian-cup . 19 July 2014 . live .
  27. Web site: Subrata Pal the spiderman on trial in Germany . Indian Football Network . 17 July 2012 . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314144327/http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2012/07/17/subrata-pal-the-spiderman-on-trial-in-germany/ . 14 March 2014 . live .
  28. Web site: KC Wizards sign Sunil Chhetri – will be first Indian player to play in MLS . The Original Winger . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314135603/http://theoriginalwinger.com/2010-03-26-kc-wizards-sign-sunil-chhetri-will-be-first-indian-player-to-play-in-mls . 14 March 2014 . dead .
  29. Web site: Ghoshal . Amoy . Mohun Bagan 1–0 East Bengal – Marines Go Second As Trevor Morgan Suffers First Derby Defeat . Goal.com . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103930/http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/mohun-bagan-vs-east-bengal/1215860/report . 3 March 2015 . live .
  30. Web site: Mangar . Nirmal . United Sikkim enters I-League – Draw for Bhaichung boys . Samachar . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140716072158/http://www.samachar.com/united-sikkim-enters-i-league-meseLqghgfc.html . 16 July 2014 . dead .
  31. Web site: Srivastava . Ayush . Club management to blame for United Sikkim's relegation . Goal.com . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103956/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/04/22/3921495/club-management-to-blame-for-united-sikkims-relegation . 3 March 2015 . live .
  32. News: Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sunil Chhetri at Glasgow Rangers . Times of India . 27 November 2011 . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140921020245/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Jeje-Lalpekhlua-Sunil-Chhetri-at-Glasgow-Rangers/articleshow/10886660.cms . 21 September 2014 . live .
  33. News: Subrata Paul signs 6-month contract with FC Vikings . Times of India . 30 January 2014 . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140920154544/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Subrata-Paul-signs-6-month-contract-with-FC-Vikings/articleshow/29618387.cms . 20 September 2014 . live .
  34. Web site: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu set for a trial cum training stint with Wigan Athletic . Goal.com . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150303102418/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/07/15/3243610/gurpreet-singh-sandhu-set-for-a-trial-cum-training-stint . 3 March 2015 . live .
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  36. Web site: Srivastava . Ayush . Lebanese defender Bilal Najjarin leaves Churchill Brothers . Goal.com . 15 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150303103935/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/01/24/3697682/lebanese-defender-bilal-najjarin-leaves-churchill-brothers . 3 March 2015 . live .
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  38. Web site: Ojha . Chiranjit . REVEALED - AFC and FIFA's complete blueprint for re-structuring ISL, I-League and Indian football . The Fan Garage . 16 May 2018 . 22 April 2022 . 22 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220422111652/https://thefangarage.com/articles/14611-revealed--afc-and-fifas-complete-blueprint-for-re-structuring-isl-i-league-and-indian-football . live .
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