Super Cup shrouded in uncertainty after I-League clubs\' pullout

Super Cup shrouded in uncertainty after I-League clubs' pullout

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

A cloud of uncertainty hung over the fate of Super Cup, scheduled to start in two days' time, after seven clubs Wednesday pulled out of the tournament citing unfair treatment by the Football Federation.

"We are yet to get any response from the AIFF, I am not expecting to get one either by tomorrow. So, I might just call my players back here," said.

While the AIFF has managed to convince Churchill Brothers to not side with the aggrieved clubs, Chennai City, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Neroca FC, Aizawl FC, and stayed united in their protest against the

"We have together resolved to withdraw our respective teams' participation from the upcoming Hero 2019," a collective release by the clubs stated.

The is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar, with the qualifiers starting from March 15. The final is slated for April 13.

Minerva had Tuesday pointed out that the clubs are being neglected in all aspects by the country's football federation.

The clubs said it had written a letter to the AIFF in February regarding multiple concerns such as the future of the league but they are "yet to hear back" from the federation.

Minerva also highlighted how the AIFF has "not provided any financial assistance to the participating teams" despite having a title sponsor for the event. With no AFC also on offer, the club felt the competition lacked any incentive for the teams.

The is a knockout tournament hosted by the AIFF where teams lock horns against the teams. It is India's main club knockout tournament and Minerva was scheduled to play the qualifying round against FC Pune City on the March 15.

Meanwhile, has decided to sue the of the I-League game between and Chennai City, Balasubramaniam, in criminal and civil defamation case, for insinuating that the game may have been fixed, in his report to the AIFF.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, March 13 2019. 22:48 IST