World Cup qualifiers may push back pro league

The announcement may even lead to the cancellation of the South Asian Football Federation SAFF championship, which was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka and the Maldives in December.

8220;It is unfortunate, the AFC could have handled it scheduling better. The continental association ought to take care of the member associations8217; interests,8221; said India8217;s head coach Bob Houghton.

8220;This change in the qualification schedule will affect as many as 70 matches in our calendar alone. This includes 50 domestic league matches and 20 matches of the SAFF Cup which will have to be called off,8221; Houghton said.

All India Football Federation AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco has already written to his Lebanese counterparts to explore the possibilities of a change in the dates, so as the start of the 8216;I League8217; is not affected by the unavailability of star players. He was not available for comment today.

The AIFF wants the two qualification legs to be brought closer, since Houghton has already said that he would not release players from the national camp for domestic matches.

A source at the AIFF, however, admitted that the I-league might have to be postponed for at least two months. 8220;It is unlikely for the pro-league to start before November-end. Since the top players of the country will be on national duty in October and November for the first and second round of the WC qualifiers,8221; he said.

Out of the 43 teams in the draw, the top five have been granted byes to the third round. The top 11 sides, out of the 19, which win the first round will move directly to the third round while the other eight will have to play the second round.

8220;We will not want a situation where players again end up in a tug of war between country8217;s call and club commitment. So in all likelihood the pro-league will have to be postponed,8221; added the source.

Even Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia lamented the clash of dates.