The AIFF developmental side, which have just roped in a Calcutta company as their sponsors to the tune of Rs. 6 crore, are now left with only 14 players. With the transfer season already on, no one is sure how the federation will fill up the rest of the 16 slots to play the I-League beginning in October.
According to sources, the AIFF decision came after the clubs, mainly East Bengal, Churchill Brothers and Pune FC, refused to release the footballers. These players were originally signed by clubs last season but were allowed to play for Indian Arrows in the I-League on special request from federation president Praful Patel.
While players like Gurpreet Sandhu, Raju Gaekwad, Milan Singh, Subodh Kumar, Deepak Devrani and Manandeep Singh would now be released for East Bengal, Pune FC and Churchill would get back Jeje Lalpekhlua and Lalrindika Ralte. Three more players – Jewel Raja, Shilton D’Silva and Sabeeth – could also desert the ship in the next few days. “Poor and chaotic planning by AIFF has broken the backbone of the team,” said an official. “They knew these players were crucial for Indian Arrows, yet they sat on it before succumbing to clubs’ pressure,” he added.
The AIFF is now planning to induct players from Indian under-19 team to strengthen the side.