Indian football: AIFF calls proposed Premier Futsal league 'unsanctioned'
Indian football's governing body said that such unauthorised and unofficial events could result in unnecessary issues.
The All Indian Football Federation came out strongly against the proposed Premier Futsal league, questioning its authenticity and casting doubts over the tournament, according to Press Trust of India.
“AIFF has informed FIFA and all its stakeholders that this is an unauthorised and unofficial Futsal League since AIFF is also the governing body for Futsal in India. Such unauthorised and unofficial events can result in unnecessary issues, especially integrity issues," said Kushal Das, the general secretary of the AIFF. "All our stakeholders understand that and will act accordingly. We do not need to take recourse to legal action.”
Das also alleged that he had heard about various issues relating to the event and questioned whether sponsors would want to be associated with such unsanctioned events.
The Premier Futsal is a proposed private franchise league for futsal, a branch of football which is played between two teams of five, and is scheduled to begin from July 15. Apart from announcing Luis Figo as its president and cricketer Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador, it has also signed up several marquee names from football.
However, it has faced opposition from the AIFF who has asked its constituent federations to not be associated with the league in any form.
No details of teams, venues and schedules have been announced.