Indian Super League to work towards new league system

Staff Writer
The AFC

In a report from the AFC, the power brokers at the ISL (Indian Super League) will be looking to revamp the league system to try and improve the sport in India.

This news comes as it was recently revealed that the ISL champions would enter a play-off place in the Asian Champions League competition.

It is nice to see that India is trying to move forward and introduce a competent system with promotion and relegation, in a bid to be recognised as a soccer nation.

Australia has had similar problems over the years and the similarities are hard to miss.

Let’s hope that like us Aussies, the Indians can start building towards a new era.

Full release below:

Kuala Lumpur: Indian football today was presented with a roadmap for the reform process for the club game in the country – with the Indian Super League (ISL) being recognised as the top league in India starting from this 2019-2020 season.

The ISL champions would also be entitled to a play-off place in the AFC Champions League and the I-League champions would take a place in the AFC Cup in ‘a package that takes into consideration the recommendations of FIFA/AFC report of 2017.’

Dato’ Windsor John, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) General Secretary, said at a meeting convened in Kuala Lumpur: “Everyone has to put the good of Indian football at the forefront and take the best decisions to develop Indian club football. The AFC will be very much involved to ensure the growth of the game to the next level with the pathway to a single league.

“Every point of this package – and it is a package – has been thought-out extremely carefully and it is aimed simply at providing the best chance to develop Indian club football. We have informed AIFF that 10-12 teams are not enough for the top League – it must be bigger.

“Everyone has contributed to the development of the Indian club game – ISL, I-League clubs, the AIFF and the AFC – and I am sure that if this roadmap is considered further then Indian football will see the benefits for the game. We are now all working together to deliver the best future.”

All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das, added: “We now have a roadmap which provides the best opportunity for Indian club football. I would like to thank the AFC – and its General Secretary – for their contribution in proposing a solution to this unique problem. India is an important country for football in Asia.

“We have to be financially sustainable and take into consideration all commercial and contractual aspects of this plan because commerce is key to football not only in India but across the world of football. We must be cognisant of that fact of football life, that footballing legacy and investment are equally important for the development of Indian football.”

The proposal will now be presented to the AFC Executive Committee and the AIFF Executive Committee. The roadmap is:

  • In season 2019-20, the ISL will attain the status of premiere league competition in Indian football.
  • As a special compensation to India, the AFC will allow the winning ISL club to represent India in the AFC Champions League play-offs, and the I-League winner will get to play the AFC Cup play-off.
  • Another key recommendation by the AFC is to open a pathway for two I-League clubs’ entry into the ISL by the end of the 2020-21 season, subject to the criteria being fulfilled.
  • In addition, starting with the 2022-23 season, the winner of I-League will stand a chance to be promoted to the ISL with no participation fee, basis fulfilling sporting merit and the national club licensing criteria to be set out by the AIFF. There will be no relegation in the ISL at this time.
  • In its recommendation for 2024-25, it is agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation into the top league, and abolition of two parallel leagues.
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Football Queensland Academy leads Northern player development

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Football Queensland

Football Queensland (FQ) has celebrated a successful year of player development in the Northern region across youth and junior football through the FQ Academy.

The FQ Academy is Queensland’s only recognised way for players to achieve state and national team representation and showed significant progress over 2024. The Northern region covers some of Queensland’s rural major hubs, including Townsville, Charters Towers, Ayr and Ingham.

In the Northen region, over 150 players participated in the FQ Acadamy across the U9 to U16 age groups, illustrating the influence of adopting Football Australia’s latest national technical standards.

The success of the FQ Academy in the Northern region was further embellished through the selection of 10 local players in Queensland state teams, to compete at the Girls and Boys National Youth Championships in Melbourne and Wollongong.

FQ General Manager, Football & State Technical Director, Gabor Ganczer, expressed his joy for the achievements in the Northern region.

“2024 has been a tremendous year for football in the Northern region, with significant strides in player development as the FQ Academy continues to play a pivotal role in providing young athletes with access to world-class coaching and competitive platforms that continue to raise the standard of football in the region,” he said via press release.

“The progress seen throughout the region is the result of a sustained, long-term approach to player development, with a focus on upskilling coaches and equipping clubs with the tools and resources they need to ensure all players are supported at every stage of their journey.”  

FQ Senior Manager, Technical (Northern Conference), Michael Edwards applauded the work of the FQ Academy.

“The inclusion of local players in the Queensland state teams highlights the significant impact of the continued investment in Northern football programs, helping to elevate talented athletes to elite levels of competition,” he said in a press release.

“The foundation we’ve laid this year, with the FQ Academy at the forefront, will not only set the stage for greater success in the years to come but also drive the continued growth of football in the Northern region and beyond, ensuring clear and accessible pathways for all players to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.”  

Football Queensland remains committed to developing the level of coaching skill and to enhancing player development in the Northern region in 2025 and beyond.

Premier League’s 3pm Blackout Could End After 60 Years

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Image credit: Premier League

The long-standing 3pm broadcasting blackout for Premier League and EFL matches may soon be a thing of the past.

According to The Sun, the restriction could be lifted within the next five years, potentially reshaping the football viewing landscape in the UK.

The Current Situation

The blackout, which has been in place for six decades, prevents live broadcasting of games played at 3pm on Saturdays.

This rule aims to safeguard attendance at lower-league matches by encouraging fans to watch games in person rather than on television.

The Premier League’s new four-year broadcasting deal, set to begin next season, will maintain the blackout. However, both the Premier League and EFL agreements are scheduled to expire at the conclusion of the 2028-29 season, opening the door for significant changes.

Changing Perspectives

Traditionally seen as essential to protect matchday attendance, the blackout’s relevance is being questioned.

EFL studies suggest that televising matches has minimal impact on crowd numbers, challenging the necessity of the rule.

With a surge in live games on TV and digital platforms, the football community is increasingly debating whether the blackout is outdated.

Currently, the Premier League broadcasts 270 matches per season, leaving 110 games locked behind the blackout, and this has become increasingly controversial with local fans left frustrated at the fact they can’t watch all of their teams games.

Piracy Concerns

The blackout has inadvertently contributed to the rise in illegal streaming. Fans often resort to using devices like “cracked Fire Sticks” to watch Saturday 3pm matches, undermining the very attendance-focused intent of the restriction.

Recently, the Premier League have cracked down on piracy, threatening jail time and/or a large fine for anyone who illegally streams games that are affected by the blackout.

What’s Next?

Although the blackout remains in place for now, its future is under scrutiny. As midweek fixtures are exempt from the rule, every Premier League game this week is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.

The decision to lift the blackout will likely come as part of broader broadcasting negotiations, potentially marking the end of a long-standing tradition and redefining how fans experience English football.

With the rule being considered ‘outdated’ by many, the 2028-29 proposed change comes at the right time. Both the Premier League and the EFL can capitalise on an even bigger national TV rights deal, strengthening both leagues’ finances.

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