Right after the fairytale success in the I-League, the Aizawl Football Club have threatened to go on hunger strike to press for their demand of their inclusion in the proposed unified league's top tier. The club has now received a shot in the arm after sports minister Vijay Goel promised to speak to the All India Football Federation in this regard.
"As far as the controversy between Aizawl FC and Indian Super League (ISL) is concerned, I'm going to talk to the AIFF. Definitely, I would like to take their case up at AIFF," Goel said during his inspection of Kolkata's Saltlake Stadium's preparation for the U-17 World Cup in October.
Goel said he's yet to receive any official letter from the I-League champions. Ironically, Aizawl are not a part of the merger plans and stare at relegation into the second division.
Read | I-League: Aizawl FC script history, become first northeast club to win title
In the new ISL, the existing eight clubs will be joined by at least three I-League clubs. The AIFF is in talks with Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. In a statement, the club said it had submitted a "formal claim to the AIFF to continue in the top league even after proposed merger of the existing top league with the ISL."
Aizawl FC said they would approach PM Narendra Modi and Asian Football Confederation president Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa if they are denied an opportunity to defend their I-League title next season.
Read | Aizawl FC defeat East Bengal, end their unbeaten run in I-League
(With inputs from PTI)
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