FIFA has urged Minerva Punjab and the other agitating I-League clubs to work closely with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), who they believe are "best placed" to resolve the "complex issues" facing Indian football. Minerva Punjab co-owner Ranjit Bajaj, the most vocal of the protesting I-League representatives, sent back an angry response shortly afterward, expressing his lack of faith in the federation and its president Praful Patel, referring to the latter as 'dishonest'.

Six I-League clubs,...

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive committee has recommended the elevation of the franchise-based Indian Super League (ISL) to the top division of Indian football, at the expense of the I-League. This decision, three years in the making, has reopened the debate over the right roadmap for Indian domestic football. 

Here's a look at the timeline of events leading up to this situation:

December 9, 2010

The AIFF announce the signing up of International Management Group-Reliance...

As East Bengal kicked off their centenary celebrations on August 1 and crosstown rivals Mohun Bagan began their Durand Cup campaign with a win a day later, a bigger story in Indian football is currently flying under the radar. It's that of the lack of clarity on how the upcoming 2019-20 season will pan out, now that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have announced their intention to elevate the Indian Super League (ISL) to top-division status at the expense of the I-League.

ESPN seeks to...

India have been drawn alongside Qatar, Oman, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Group E of the AFC's World Cup 2022 qualification. The matches, that begin on September 5, will also serve as dual qualification for the AFC Asian Cup in China in 2023.

India will play their first match at home against Oman on September 5. They travel to Qatar next for possibly their most difficult fixture on September 10, with their opponents the reigning Asian Cup champions. India next face Bangladesh at home on October...