Indian football begins a new chapter on February 27. The Indian Football League (IFL) has officially launched. Fans earlier knew this competition as the I-League.
The league started as the National Football League in 1996. It was renamed the I-League to professionalise the sport in India. Now, it has been rebranded again as the Indian Football League.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will fully own and operate the IFL. A five-member Governing Council has also been formed. It includes Gokulam Kerala, Real Kashmir, Rajasthan United FC, Diamond Harbour FC and Shillong Lajong. The aim is to give clubs more say in operational and commercial matters.
The league format has changed too. The IFL will now follow a two-stage system. In Stage 1, 10 clubs will play home-and-away matches in a round-robin format. All points will carry forward to Stage 2.
New Format and Fresh Challenges
In Stage 2, the league will split into two groups. The top half will play in a Championship Round. The bottom half will compete in a centralised Relegation Round. The team finishing top in Stage 2 will win the title and earn promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL). The bottom team will be relegated.
The AIFF also unveiled a new logo. The official release said, “While the League does have the word ‘Indian’ as part of it, the streaks of orange and green are a brazen indicator of this being the country’s League, even when the name isn’t being used.”
Ten clubs are part of the new season, including Dempo SC, Real Kashmir FC and Diamond Harbour FC. Churchill Brothers are missing after a legal dispute over last season’s title. Inter Kashi were declared champions and promoted.
Fans can watch the IFL on DD Sports and the Waves App.
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