INDIAN FOOTBALL NEWS 2020 (JUNE)

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EAST BENGAL INTRODUCE MASK AND SANITIZER AS A PART OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY

25.6.20: East Bengal Club today in a media meeting at the club tent today unveiled mask and sanitizer, as a part of the club's social activity on the occasion of their 100 years celebration. The Sports minister of West Bengal, Arup Biswas unveiled Sanitizer and mask with the centenary logo embossed on the products.

Mask and Sanitizers have become the most precious thing in our lives after Conora Virus hits our society causing pandemic. While answering to a question official Debabrata Sarkar said," East Bengal has decided to distribute 1 lacks and fifty thousand mask to the supporters, members, media, municipalities and sports department of the Goverment of West Bengal free of cost till the stocks lasts. The products are manufactured by Umash Lifestyle Private Limited and if ordered by anyone the products will be sold at a special rate from the club."

East Bengal and their fan clubs helped the soceity after the severe strom Amphan effected different parts of South Bengal especially in Sundarban. East Bengal Club will continue their social activities apart from the Sporting events in the days to come.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2021™ to take place from 17 February to 7 March 2021

22.6.20: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2021™, which is scheduled to take place from 17 February to 7 March next year. Fifa announced released the revised schedule for the tournament where India to play all their group matches of the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup at Guwahati and Bhubaneswar.


The quarter-finals will take place in Ahmedabad, Navi Mumbai, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata on February 27 and 28 of 2021. The two semi-finals will be held on March 3 in Navi Mumbai and Bhubaneswar. While Navi Mumbai has been given the Grand finale and third-place matches. The tournament will open with double headers in Guwahati and Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium.

Group C and D matches will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata and TransStadia Arena in Ahmedabad, respectively on February 18.

CORPORATE TEAMS APPLIED TO PLAY IN I LEAGUE

22.6.20: In response to All India Football fedaration notification new Corporate clubs have shown their interest to participate in the forth coming I League which is likely to commence from January.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has invited bids from new clubs from cities like New Delhi, Ranchi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Lucknow and Ahmedabad who would take part in the I-League from 2020-21. The main target of AIFF is to introduce teams from the cities where there are no ISL or I League playing clubs. According to the sources, Sudeba FC of New Delhi, SriNidhi FC of Visakhapatnam and Rinth Sports and Cultural Club of Shillong shown their interest to play in I League. It is likely that twelve teams will participate in 2020-21 I League in place of eleven teams.

SriNidhi is an educational organisation who have their football academy at Hyderabad. As there is a team from Hyderabad playing in ISL, SriNidhi FC applied from Visakhapatnam which is under Andra Pradesh Football Association. Though, SriNidhi FC is yet to register them at Andra Pradesh Football Association. If Rinth Sports and Cultural Club finally participte in I league then they will be forth club after Lajong FC, Royal Wahingdoh FC and Rangdajied United FC. Sources said that Rinth FC have a good financial base to support.

These teams will have to fulfill the AFC Club Lisensing criteria between 15th July to 30th September and then AIFF will finally decide who will play in the forth coming I League.

India clubbed in Group C at the official draw for the AFC U-16 Championship

18.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : India were clubbed with Korea Republic, Australia and Uzbekistan in Group C at the official draw for the AFC U-16 Championship Bahrain 2020 held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur earlier today (June 18, 2020). The four semi-finalists of the competition will earn a direct qualification to FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru 2021.

India in Pot 3 for official draw for AFC U-16 Championship

17.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : India have been slotted in Pot 3 for the official draw of the AFC U-16 Championship Bahrain 2020 which is to be held at the AFC House Kuala Lumpur at IST 12 noon tomorrow (Thursday, June 18, 2020). India qualified for the U-16 Finals when they finished as Group B champions in Tashkent from a group which had Uzbekistan (hosts), Bahrain and Turkmenistan. The Indian colts finished with 7 points from three matches scoring 11 goals, while conceding 1.

This is India’s third consecutive qualification in the AFC U-16 finals, and ninth overall. In 2018, the U-16 boys stayed a win away from a direct qualification into the FIFA U-17 World Cup when they lost to Korea Republic by a solitary goal in the quarterfinals. That was India’s second entry into the quarterfinals, the earlier being in 2002.

EPL TO RESTART FROM 17TH JUNE.

14.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : WORLD’S FAVOURITE FOOTBALL LEAGUE IS BACK! PREMIER LEAGUE RESUMES ACTION EXCLUSIVELY ON THE STAR SPORTS NETWORK STARTING JUNE 17TH Premier League fans rejoice as current champions Manchester City gear up to take on Arsenal on the opening day of #PLReturns



Liverpool waiting to wrap up their first league title in 30 years, an interesting battle between Chelsea and Manchester United for the all-important fourth position with just 3 points separating the two giants and an intense fight at the bottom of the table to avoid relegation will be some of the highlights to look forward to when the Premier League makes its way back into the hearts of football fans on June 17th after nearly a three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With Bundesliga resuming LIVE action last month, #PLReturns now takes a step forward towards normalization in a bid to complete its 2019-20 season with LIVE action in India only on Star Sports 1/HD, Star Sports Select 1/HD & Disney+ Hotstar starting 17th June 10.30 PM onwards.

FIFA approves season dates and registration window for 2020-21 season

09.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : The Asian Football Confederation has intimated the All India Football Federation about the new match schedules for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preliminary Competition and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2.
In a letter, the AFC mentioned: "After several months of anxious waiting and now with the improved situation globally and in preparation of the “new normal," the AFC in consultation with FIFA, is planning to reschedule the postponed matches in the FIFA International Windows in October and November 2020."

As per the new dates, India’s match schedule stays as follows: October 8, 2020: India vs Qatar (Home-match).
November 12, 2020: Bangladesh vs India (Away match).
November 17: India vs Afghanistan (Home match).

However, all the aforementioned matches will be held subject to clearances, and directives from the Government of India.

AFC announces revised schedule for WC Qualifiers

06.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : The Asian Football Confederation has intimated the All India Football Federation about the new match schedules for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preliminary Competition and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2.
In a letter, the AFC mentioned: "After several months of anxious waiting and now with the improved situation globally and in preparation of the “new normal," the AFC in consultation with FIFA, is planning to reschedule the postponed matches in the FIFA International Windows in October and November 2020."

As per the new dates, India’s match schedule stays as follows: October 8, 2020: India vs Qatar (Home-match).
November 12, 2020: Bangladesh vs India (Away match).
November 17: India vs Afghanistan (Home match).

However, all the aforementioned matches will be held subject to clearances, and directives from the Government of India.

Qatar announces completion of third FIFA World Cup 2022™ stadium

06.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Qatar Foundation have announced that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ stadium located in Education City has been completed on schedule. It is the third tournament-ready venue for Qatar 2022 to be completed, following the successful redevelopment of Khalifa International Stadium in 2017 and the inauguration of Al Janoub Stadium in 2019.



The stadium’s completion will be marked on 15 June with a live programme which celebrates the contribution of frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The show will also discuss the future of sport, mental health and fan experience in a post-COVID-19 world.

FIFA will organise a series of online discussions with all member associations and other stakeholders

FIFA MEDIA RELEASE - 06.06.20: FIFA will organise a series of online discussions with all member associations and other stakeholders in order to debate and assess proposals that might contribute “to shape a better football for the future”.

In a video message to FIFA’s 211 member associations, the FIFA President stated that thanks to the ongoing consultation and work done by FIFA administration, a financial relief plan “to benefit all of football” is entering the final phase of preparation with the objective of being presented in the upcoming FIFA Council meeting, and that international match calendar discussions are closer to “a balanced solution”.

The FIFA President also recognised that a route back to the stadiums for spectators will also need to be managed because football is not the same without fans, but this should be made in a safe and responsible way that also follows guidelines and instructions of governments and health authorities.
MASSAGE FROM FIFA PRESIDENT TO MEMBERS ASSOCIATION

Dear friends, Firstly, I hope that you, as well as your families and friends are safe, well and healthy. Even if we are distant, we remain one team, and united we support those who have been suffering during this difficult time. Following my last message, I wanted to take the opportunity to provide you with an update in relation to some activities at FIFA, starting by thanking the Bureau of the Council for its activities over the last two months.

You have seen the medical recommendations we issued last week to support a roadmap for the restart of competitions, which always keep in mind the most important principle: Health comes first! Also the possibility you have now to opt for five substitutions has the same purpose: protect the health – in this case of our players. We need to maintain public health as the priority while not forgetting the wellbeing of players, officials and everyone who participates in any football activity.

FIFA trusts the judgment that you, together with the governments and health authorities of your countries, have made or will make. We hope that the WHO risk assessment tool and our guidelines can help you in deciding the best course of action. Football is already underway or about to restart in several countries. This brings us, and all the football fans across the globe, some hope for the future. However, we also have to understand and respect different decisions, especially from those among us who still need more time to be sure that a restart can be done in a way that is safe for everyone. Tolerance and understanding are important, especially these days.

I support - FIFA supports - every one of you. There isn’t one right answer to all the situations. Each country is different with different contexts and no one better than you knows the best way to deal with this enormous challenge. And: let’s not forget that there needs always to be a place for fans. Football without spectators is clearly not the same, but we need to be patient when considering the right time to bring fans back to the stadiums. We will continue to work tirelessly, but also discretely and respectfully, to move beyond these temporary measures, and to ensure that fans are welcomed back in a safe and responsible way.

Dear friends ….. This is a time to work together, to share experiences and to help one another. It is through this solidarity that we will also find the solutions to shape a better football for the future The need for top club football to resume has understandably taken priority, but we must also consider national teams, women’s football, lower-tier domestic leagues, youth and the grassroots game. We have to show unity across all aspects of football and make sure football can resume in its globality. This is our priority and our financial relief plan will also follow this principle.

In a constructive spirit of consultation that seeks to benefit all of football, FIFA is working hard to present a positive solution to the FIFA Council in the coming weeks. We are developing a system which is manageable, but also needs-based. We want the financial relief plan to have a broad reach that includes women’s football and that operates in a modern, efficient and transparent way. This means having a robust governance structure, which also ensures accountability on how the financial sums will be allocated.

On another very important topic, namely the international match calendar, I am happy to report that we also made some good progress. In consultation with different stakeholders, we are closer to present a balanced solution that takes into account everyone’s challenges and needs.I have mentioned consultation on several occasions, and if we can take out one positive element from this situation, it is certainly that thanks to you and through FIFA, football has definitively created an active and healthy channel for dialogue and discussion on all aspects of our sport. Dear friends --. Some time ago I said this could be a moment to take a step back and reflect. I was pleased to see that several football administrators, executives, but also coaches and players came forward and expressed their views. I had some interesting discussions with many of you.

To continue this collective brainstorming, I will be scheduling a series of online discussions to ensure all your voices - as well as the voices of other important stakeholders - are heard. I firmly believe that our future can only be shaped by discussing it with you, the Member Associations of FIFA. Because you are FIFA. And we cannot and will not take decisions in some back door meetings amongst a small group of people. These times are definitely over! Now it’s your turn. And we want to listen to your views on important topics such as the future international match calendar and the competitions.

How should we deal with the increased number of matches played by top players? How many matches can a player play in a season?
How should our competitions be organised in the future, at FIFA level, at national level…?

And how can we better harmonise the calendar and the competitions between continents as football is becoming more and more global?

On the financial and governance aspects, I also heard some interesting proposals on a wide range of topics. From salary caps to transfer fee caps or other taxation mechanisms, to the possible obligation for governing bodies, competition organisers and clubs to build reserves or to contribute to a reserve fund which can be of assistance in hours of need such as now.

I personally advocate for clearer and stricter financial regulations, imposing full transparency and good governance principles, and not only limiting this to the transfer system, but to the entire football ecosystem. FIFA is doing already a lot of work on this area, even if we face some strong vested interests who fight against our plea for a better global governance in our sport. Dear friends, we will need your full support and commitment to move to the next level of good governance in football globally.

I think that these and other measures, projects and ideas should be discussed at all levels. I know that this is something that will spark intense debate, but debate is healthy, and we should speak about it all together – as we stand together during this difficult period.
To each and every one of you, my dear friends, please do keep safe and take good care of yourselves your families and your friends. Let’s continue to work for a better football. Because together, we will win.

India to host AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 finals

05.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : The Asian Football Confederation has granted All India Football Federation the rights to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 finals. The decision was taken at the AFC Women’s Football Committee. The venues for the tournament haven’t been finalised as yet and would be decided in due course of time.



In a letter to AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, Dato Windsor John, General Secretary, AFC wrote: "The Committee awarded the hosting rights of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Finals to the All India Football Federation." Mr. Praful Patel, President All India Football Federation in his message said: "I need to thank the Asian Football Confederation for finding us suitable to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2022. The tournament will galvanise the aspiring women players and bring in a holistic social revolution as far as women's football in the country is concerned."

The tournament comes as the latest feather to AIFF's cap under Mr. Patel's tenure as AIFF President. While India are slated to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup India 2020 from February 17-March 7, 2021, the AIFF had earlier successfully organised the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 in 2017. Furthermore, India had also hosted the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 in 2016.

AIFF has issued an invite to accept bids for new clubs

> 05.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : All India Football Federation has issued an invite to accept bids for new clubs from non-Hero I-League cities to join the Hero I-League from 2020 onwards. The bids have been invited from prospective team owners from New Delhi, Ranchi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Lucknow and Ahmedabad, amongst others.



As per the invitation to tender, the entity that wins the bid will be granted the right to own and operate a new football club from 2020 onwards. The aforementioned club will have the opportunity (if applicable, and subject to qualification) to also compete in the AFC club competitions.

The invitation to tender can be acquired from the Football House in New Delhi between June 10 and June 20, 2020 upon payment of INR 4,00,000.00 (non-refundable and non-adjustable) by demand draft, pay order (both payable at New Delhi) favouring All India Football Federation, or by NEFT/RTGS. Bank details will be provided upon request.

The day No 11 scored his century - Chhetri 100

04.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : June 4, 2018 will remain etched in the memory of Indian football fans forever. It was on this day that talismanic Sunil Chhetri played his 100th International match – only the second Indian Footballer to do so. And he made it even more memorable with a double strike in a 3-0 victory over mighty Kenya. While a full house clad in Blue braved the incessant rain to reach the Mumbai Football Arena hours before the kick-off, the rest of the country remained glued to their television sets to witness the history -- Sunil Chhetri 100.



Sandesh Jhingan, normally prefers to stay calm before a game. But the madness amongst the football-loving crowd simply left him wide-eyed even before the kick-off. 'Generally, I always try to stay calm before a match no matter how big the game is. But Sunil-bhai’s message weaved magic amongst the fans and the craze for tickets in Mumbai was unheard of. It seemed the entire Mumbai city thronged the stadium that day,” Jhingan stated.

“Sunil-bhai's message, the rain and fans turning up to the stadium – all combined to make it an unbelievable scene. To play in front of such a vocal crowd where your every move is being cheered at was a huge experience,' he added. Sunil Chhetri, Praful Patel, Bhaichung Bhutia, IM Vijayan, Aditya Thackeray, Mumbai Football Arena The Blue Tigers came up with another gesture before they hit the pitch for the warm-up. It was a 'small tribute to highlight his glories over the years' – a guard of honour for the maestro.

"He fully deserved it," Jhingan stated. "What he did for the nation for 10-15 years can’t be justified by the guard of honour. He will always be remembered by his achievements and contributions to Indian Football over the years. He's someone who has firmly booked his place in the history book. This gesture was a small tribute to highlight his glories over the years. Of course, it was a great feeling to be part of it."

On the ground, however, the sturdy Kenyan defenders were tough to crack. Finally, after the clock crossed the hour-mark, Chhetri outwitted the Kenyan goalkeeper to find the back of the net and the stadium erupted in joy. The floodgates opened - Jeje Lalpekhlua joined the party three minutes later. But the best was still to unfold – the mischievous chip in the dying minutes from Chhetri and a perfect wrap up with all three points which paved their way to the final.

"The fantastic goals, especially the dink one truly showed how cool he is in front of the goal. Even we left the ground with a clean sheet too which showed how clinical we were at the rear as well. Kenya were extremely tough opponents with deadly speed, strength and combined force - just like any other African team," Jhingan continued.

But the day will not just be remembered for the match and exploits on the field. Rather it will be remembered for a nation answering to the call of their captain - from Virat Kohli to Ranveer Singh to Amitabh Bachchan to Sachin Tendulkar and so many.




,h3> Former Mariners recall Mohun Bagan’s victory parade where ‘life had come to a standstill’ 01.06.2020: AIFF PRESS RELEASE : Five years ago it was on this day that Mohun Bagan’s homecoming was celebrated with a rousing reception – fans pouring on the streets to celebrate Kolkata's first-ever Hero I-League title. But the gravity of the victory did not really hit the players till they saw tens of thousands of fans throng the streets in Kolkata upon landing - along the 25km-stretch from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport to the Mohun Bagan Club Tent in Maidan. "We were still discussing about previous night - Bello’s header and our fight against Bengaluru FC, that too at their home ground," said National Team defender Pritam Kotal, who was then with Mohun Bagan



"But when we landed we were awe-struck. Such was the jubilation that a journey to the Mohun Bagan Club Tent which would generally take around 45-minutes took us almost 5 hours, as the team bus meandered its way through throngs of jubilant supporters," Kotal recalled. "All we could see was people. Football had brought everyone to celebrate on the roads. We were stopping at every 5 metres. But that stoppage was all about moving forward - football was being celebrated, and in what such a spirit."

"Football had made life in Kolkata to come to a standstill." Mercurial striker Jeje Lalpekhlua who hails from the football-crazy state of Mizoram expressed he has never seen anything like the victory parade of that day. "It was a massive. It seemed the entire city had come to take part in the victory parade. I never felt that celebrations could have been so unique," Jeje stated. "I’ve seen a lot of passionate football fans back home in Mizoram but this was one sight I have never seen anywhere. And it still stays with me. Thank you Kolkata."

"We didn’t mind the bus moving at a snail's pace. Rather we enjoyed it. The day was about something else. It took us almost five hours or more to reach the Club Tent that day. That was one jam where I didn’t mind being stuck at," he maintained. The mercurial striker felt that it was not just the Bagan fans who were celebrating their maiden Hero I-League title – it was entire Bengal.

"I was getting so many messages from so many people on that day. But the ones which touched me the most were from the supporters of East Bengal. That’s when I realised that we had not just won it for Mohun Bagan, but we had won it for entire Bengal," Jeje expressed. Coach Sanjoy Sen believes that it was the relief of winning the Hero I-League brought out such a momentous celebration among the fans in Kolkata.

"The roads were jammed. It was a sea of heads – the sea of Green and Maroon. Kolkata knows how to celebrate and on that day, the fans brought back memories of yesteryears,” said Sen. “It just goes to show how well-knit football is within the culture of the people of Bengal," he continued.