All posts tagged: I-League

I-League officially rebranded to Indian Football League

I-League officially rebranded to Indian Football League

Published by Webster

I-League, the second division of Indian football, has been officially rebranded to the Indian Football League (IFL), the All India Football Federation announced on Thursday. The decision was taken during an online meeting of the AIFF Executive Committee. “The All India Football Federation’s Executive Committee, in an online meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2026, approved the rebranding of the I-League to the Indian Football League from the 2025-26 season,” the AIFF said in a statement. The proposal to rebrand the I-League as Indian Football League was made last month by the club owners along with the AIFF. The I-League was launched in 2007 as India’s top tier league, before being demoted to the second division ahead of the 2025-26 season. The delayed 2025-26 season of the Indian Football League is set to commence on 21 February, 2026. The committee also ratified the charter for the Governing Council of the Indian Super League as well as the Indian Football League. The Indian Super League 2025-26 is set to commence on Saturday after a long period of …

I-League gets new name, new format, new governing council | Football News

I-League gets new name, new format, new governing council | Football News

Published by Parlour News

The second tier of domestic football, called the I-League till now, has been rechristened Indian Football League, with the new season starting on February 21 with a new format and new governing council. The announcement was made jointly by All India Football Federation (AIFF) and club representatives on Wednesday. The new-name league, still the second division in the Indian footballing ecosystem, would now consist of a Governing Council in which the clubs, the AIFF and the commercial partner would be represented and hold equity. For long-term followers of the I-League, this change in name isn’t new. In 1996, the AIFF started a semi-professional competition called the National Football League. Then in 2007, it was rebranded as the I-League. Later, the I-League was demoted to the second division of Indian football and the parallel venture called Indian Super League became the top tier in the country. There is no clarity about the platform (television or online) where Indian Football League matches would be aired during the reduced 2025-26 season and the AIFF and clubs are yet …

AIFF stares at Rs 25.9 crore deficit

AIFF stares at Rs 25.9 crore deficit

Published by Webster

The problems of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) are aplenty, the latest being a revenue deficit of ₹25.9 crore till June this year. The AIFF may be forced to put a stop to its activities for a quarter until it finds a new commercial partner. “Never in Indian football has the season, and the contract, concluded midseason on Dec 8,” a senior AIFF official was quoted by The Times if India as saying. “We have no other revenue, and this season till June, we have a deficit of two installments (Jan-March and April-June), besides we got paid only till the first week of Dec (with no money for the rest of the month).” The AIFF depended on the Rs 50 crore paid annually from its marketing partners FSDL, a Reliance-subsidiary, in return for commercial rights of all leagues and the national team. The AIFF was left without any financial backing after the 15-year contract ended on December 8 last year. As per the contract, AIFF received four equal installments of Rs 12.5 crore from …

Manchester City owners’ exit from Mumbai City made ‘in light of ongoing uncertainty’ around future of ISL | Football News

Manchester City owners’ exit from Mumbai City made ‘in light of ongoing uncertainty’ around future of ISL | Football News

Published by Webster

The City Football Group (CFG), owners of England and European giants Manchester City and multiple other clubs around the world, confirmed via a joint statement with Mumbai City FC that it has parted ways with the latter due to the uncertainty around the future of the Indian Super League (ISL). Mumbai City had earlier informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of the CFG selling its 65 percent shares to the club’s parent company Mumbai City Football India Pvt Ltd, which is co-owned by Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor and chartered accountant Bimal Parekh. “Mumbai City FC can confirm that City Football Group Limited has divested its shareholding in the club. The founding owners will assume full control of the organisation moving forward,” said the statement. “CFG has made this decision following a comprehensive commercial review and in light of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League (ISL). This step reflects CFG’s disciplined and strategic approach – ensuring its focus remains on areas where it can have the greatest long-term impact.” CFG …

I-League: Sporting Club Bengaluru handed transfer ban by AIFF

I-League: Sporting Club Bengaluru handed transfer ban by AIFF

Published by Webster

The All India Football Federation has imposed a transfer ban on I-League outfit Sporting Club Bengaluru, The Bridge has learnt. “We wish to inform the parties that a ban on Sporting Club Bengaluru from registering new players has been implemented by the AIFF,” a letter from the national federation to the club, which is in possession of this publication, read. The ban effective from Monday comes after Sporting Club Bengaluru’s failure to provide any reply on the allegations of financial non-compliance in accordance with the decision of the AIFF Player Status Committee. The transfer ban has been imposed according to the Article 31 of AIFF Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, 2025. As per the rule, the ban will remain until the due amounts are paid. “The overall maximum duration of the registration ban, including possible sporting sanctions, shall be of three entire and consecutive registration periods, subject to Article 31.7,” the AIFF Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, 2025 further reads. This essentially means that the transfer ban on Sporting …

Veteran goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya announces retirement

Veteran goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya announces retirement

Published by Webster

Veteran Indian goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya on Saturday announced retirement from professional football, bringing an end to his illustrious playing career. Arindam’s career spanned nearly two decades, during which he represented clubs in the I-League and Indian Super League (ISL), as well as the national team. Arindam, a product of the Tata Football Academy, began his senior career with Churchill Brothers in 2008, winning the I-League at just 19. He played for several clubs, including Pune City FC, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, ATK, and ATK Mohun Bagan. Arindam wrote an emotional note on social media saying, “From the suburbs of Kolkata to the Maidan – it all began with a dream. At 13, all I wanted was to play for Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and one day face Bhaichung Bhutia. That was the dream.” “What I didn’t know back then was how far football would take me. Two decades later, I look back at trophies, battles, and scars that tell stories. But more than anything, I see memories, lessons, friendships, and gratitude that will stay …

Football: AIFF hands Inter Kashi I-League trophy 8 months after league ends

Football: AIFF hands Inter Kashi I-League trophy 8 months after league ends

Published by Webster

Eight months after the 2024-25 I-League came to a controversial conclusion, Inter Kashi were finally awarded the champions trophy on Saturday. This development comes months after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Inter Kashi’s appeal and crowned them the rightful 2024-25 I-League champions back. The CAS crowned Inter Kashi the champions on 18 July, but All India Football Federation had handed the champions trophy to Churchill Brothers on the same day. #News | Inter Kashi finally awarded the 2024-25 I-League trophy🔥 8 months after the completion of the league and the legal battle that followed with Churchill Brothers, the AIFF finally handed over Inter Kashi the trophy👀#Football pic.twitter.com/N54zAMWOQE — The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) November 1, 2025 The national federation had later contended that the directive from CAS came after they crowned Churchill Brothers the champions on a Sunday, when their secretariat remains closed. Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please …

The unassuming architect of Indian Football’s greatest underdog stories

The unassuming architect of Indian Football’s greatest underdog stories

Published by Webster

On the warm Saturday evening in Bhubaneswar, Khalid Jamil stood once again on the sidelines, watching as Jamshedpur FC fell to FC Goa in the Kalinga Super Cup final. A 3-0 scoreline. Another heartbreak. Just weeks earlier, his side had been knocked out in the dying minutes of the ISL semifinal by Mohun Bagan. Two painful exits. Two chances at glory, slipping through his fingers. But this has never been a story of trophies alone. Khalid Jamil is not the headline-maker with dramatic touchline antics or marquee quotes. He is the quiet craftsman — India’s first torchbearer in a league still largely defined by foreign tacticians. In the world of flash and fame, he remains the understated architect of belief. While foreign coaches have shaped the Indian Super League’s narrative, Khalid Jamil has led a silent revolution—one wrapped in resilience, humility, and an unrelenting love for the game. His story is rarely told. But it should be. A journey shaped by principles Khalid’s love for football began in Kuwait, though it wasn’t a career path …

Individual and team awards announced

Individual and team awards announced

Published by Webster

Fazila Ikwaput has once again proven her dominance in the Indian Women’s League (IWL). The Gokulam Kerala FC striker has been named the “Best Striker” in the IWL 2024-25 for the second consecutive season, thanks to her remarkable tally of 24 goals throughout the campaign. The prolific forward has been a consistent performer for Gokulam Kerala FC, building on her previous season’s success with even more impressive numbers this time around. Her goal-scoring prowess has been instrumental in her team’s campaign, consistently finding the back of the net against the toughest opposition. Meanwhile, in the I-League, Colombian star David Castañeda Muñoz of Sreenidi Deccan FC claimed both the “Best Player of the League” and “Highest Scorer” awards with an impressive 17 goals to his name. His consistent performances throughout the season have made him one of the standout players in the competition. The Churchill Brothers coach, Dimitris Dimitriou, received the prestigious Syed Abdul Rahim Award for Best Coach. Under his guidance, Churchill Brothers had an impressive season, with midfielder Pape Gassama also being recognized for …

AIFF asks Churchill Brothers to return trophy

AIFF asks Churchill Brothers to return trophy

Published by Webster

The All India Football Federation asked Churchill Brothers to return the 2024-25 I-League trophy that it presented to the club despite a stay order by the Court of Arbitration of Sport on Monday. The national federation had handed out the trophy to the Goa-based club just hours after the CAS issued a stay order on Sunday. The AIFF later claimed that they learned about the stay order only after the trophy was presented to Churchill Brothers as its secretariat was closed on Sunday. “On Monday, we have written to Churchill Brothers to return the I-League trophy,” an AIFF official said, as per PTI. “We are bound to obey CAS order. Let the CAS decide on the matter, and we will hand over the trophy after the decision.” Earlier, Inter Kashi had approached the CAS after AIFF Appeals committee crowned Churchill Brothers as the 2024-25 I-League champions, setting aside the AIFF Disciplinary Committee’s order which had handed Inter Kashi three forfeit points after their opponents Namdhari FC fielded an ineligible player during their clash. Disclaimer: We …