AIFF secretary hoping for 2020-21 season to start in September-October

Now that the government of India is gradually relaxing the lockdown in the country, All India Football Federation (AIFF) is hopeful that they will be able to start the next season on time or only with a slight delay.

The football season in India generally starts in September and given the fact that the government has already issued the training guidelines for players of different sports, it is widely expected that the matches might also be organized soon behind closed doors.

The previous season was affected by the lockdown as AIFF had to suspend its second tier tournament I-league and had to declare Mohun Bagan as the champions.

Mohun Bagan were 16 points clear at the top at the time the season was suspended and it, therefore, seemed a pretty fair decision.

The Indian Super League (ISL), which is the top tier football tournament in India, had fortunately completed before the lockdown and ATK had won it for the third time by beating Chennaiyin FC in the final. 

“Hopefully, we can start the season with no spectators or limited spectators (as per directives from the government). We are still a few months away. But I am hopeful that the situation will improve and we can start the season in either September or October.” AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said in SPIA Asia webinar.

Football has already resumed in Germany as the curve has flattened there with the matches being played behind the closed doors now and the Spanish top flight has also been cleared by the government to resume next month.

In India, the curve has not flattened yet and the no. of cases is still on the rise, but the government has insisted that the country can’t remain in lockdown forever and things will have to resume gradually.

It will be interesting to see when they allow the contact sports to go ahead.

Featured Image Credits: Khel Now