New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) The deadline to fulfill the Asian Football Federation (AFC) criteria to get a direct entry in the Asian Champions League is too close for the comfort of I-League clubs.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) general-secretary Alberto Colaco told IANS that the federation has set Aug 31 deadline for all the clubs and even the I-League to submit the documents of licensing to prove that they are commercial entities to be eligible to play in the Asian Champions League, the top tier club competition in the continent.

“To participate in the Champions League, all the clubs and the I-League have to submit the documents by Aug 31. The deadline for FIFA club licensing has been extended to 2011,” Colaco said.

Last year’s I-League champions Dempo were denied a direct entry into the main tournament as the criteria set by the AFC wasn’t met by a couple of clubs and the league was not considered eligible for participation.

Colaco also said the fixtures of the third edition of the I-League have been made, but it could not be released owing to the unavailability of grounds.

“The Indian Football Association (governing body of the game in West Bengal) has informed that the matches cannot be held in Kolkata due to non availability of police bandobast on certain days. The Goa Football Federation (GFA) has just forwarded a letter from the Nehru Stadium’s manager, saying that the ground is still under repairs and would be ready only after Oct 15,” he said.

Colaco also said that newly promoted Pune FC and Viva Kerala have informed that they would play their matches at Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune and in Calicut. Both the clubs are yet to submit a no-objection certificate from the owners of the stadiums.

The AIFF general secretary, whose eight-year stint will end later this month, said that Mahindra United, Air India, Mumbai FC, Meghalaya’s Lajong and JCT, Phagwara are the only clubs to confirmthat the availability of their grounds.