Ultimatum for AIFF from AFC

Vice-chairman of the AFC Pro-League Committee, Tokuaki Suzuki, along with secretary Satoshi Saito, were categorical about their views as they felt that the AIFF, while having the potential to fulfill AFC8217;s requirements, were not approaching the issue in an appropriate manner.

Following their two-hour long meeting with Alberto Colaco, AIFF general-secretary, Suzuki said: 8220;I think AIFF is eager to improve their standards but there are still a few areas of concern as far as making the clubs entirely professional. The clubs in India should be commercial entities and there should be a different governing body for the pro-leagues here. The AIFF should be only an umbrella to that governing body.8221;

Citing the example of Japan8217;s J-League, where only baseball attracted crowds, Suzuki said that they never took it as enemy. 8220;Instead we marketed our game in such a manner that people started coming to watch football. That8217;s what India also needs to do. I can understand cricket is popular in India but then they should know how to market football as well,8221; Suzuki added.

He said that the clubs in India need to be independent and not depend on sponsors. 8220;They should start making money from gates.8221; He also emphasised on the improvement of infrastructure while focusing on technical aspects like players8217; fitness and improvement in coaching standards.

AFC has laid down 10 criteria for any country to be eligible for the league. More importantly, even if one of the clubs fail follow them, no club from the country can make it to the league, he warned.