It’s safe to say that Aizawl FC’s unexpected title triumph has scuppered AIFF’s plans on having a 11 team combined league consisting of the eight ISL teams plus the three clubs who may be able to financially duke it out with the rest of the rich, aka East Bengal, Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan.

Aizawl’s win though puts the AIFF in a spot of bother: How do you justify the relegation of India’s top-tier champions? According to sources, Aizawl have approached the AIFF with their achievements and have asked to be included in the top tier of the league.

The Highlanders are also looking for sponsors which will enable them to compete with the rest of the teams in the new league and meet the AFC club licensing criteria on time.

The club’s official Twitter account also says that they will resort to extreme measures such as “world wide protests” and “sitting demonstrations near AFC/FIFA offices.”

It remains to be seen what course of action the AIFF decides upon. Do they stick to the original plan and risk angering Aizawl and the local ecosystem, who so passionately cheer on the Mizos or do they take a step back on their stance and allow the champions in?