I-League

The I-League, formerly known as National Football League, is the joint-premier football league in India, together with the Indian Super League.[3] For sponsorship reasons, the league is officially known as the Hero I-League. It is currently contested by 11 clubs across the country.

Hero I-League
Organising bodyAll India Football Federation (AIFF)
Founded2007 (2007)
1996–2007 (as National Football League)
CountryIndia
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams11
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toI-League 2nd Division
Domestic cup(s)Durand Cup
Super Cup
International cup(s)AFC Cup
Current championsMohun Bagan (2nd title)
(2019–20)
Most championshipsDempo (3 titles)
Top goalscorerRanti Martins (214 goals)
TV partners1Sports
(live matches)
Facebook, FanCode[1]
(online streaming)
Twentyfour News[2] (All matches of GKFC)
Kolkata TV (All matches of Kolkata clubs)
WebsiteI-League
2020–21 I-League

The competition was founded in 2007 as the successor to the National Football League (NFL) and competition commenced in November 2007.[4] The league was launched as India's first ever professional football league and with the aim to increase the player pool for India's national team.[4] Unlike the franchise based Indian Super League, the I-League operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the I-League 2nd Division.[4] For the clubs that become I-League champions, they are granted the opportunity to participate in the AFC Cup, Asia's secondary international club competition.

Since the inception of the I-League, a total of seven clubs have been crowned champions. Dempo have won the most titles in league history, being crowned champions three times. Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru have won the league twice. Salgaocar, Aizawl, Minerva Punjab, and Chennai City have won it once.

History

Origins

In 1996, the first domestic league was started in India known as the National Football League.[5] The league was started in an effort to introduce professionalism to Indian football.[5] Despite that ambition, that not been achieved to this date. During the National Football League days, the league suffered from poor infrastructure and unprofessionalism from its clubs. One of the clubs in the league, FC Kochin, went defunct in 2002 after it was revealed that the club had not paid salaries since 2000 after running up 2.5 crores in losses a season.[6]

After a decade of decline with the National Football League, the All India Football Federation decided it was time for a change. This resulted in the modern day iteration of the top-tier in India.[7]

Formation

After the 2006–07 NFL season, it was announced that the National Football League would be relaunched and rebranded as the I-League for the 2007–08 season.[8] The league's first season consisted of eight teams from the previous NFL campaign and two teams from the 2nd Division to form a 10 team league.[8] Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the title sponsors of the previous NFL, were named as the title sponsors of the I-League before the league kicked off in November 2007.[9] The league also announced a change in their foreign-player restrictions with the new rule being that all the clubs could sign four foreigners – three non-Asian and one which must be Asian.[10] The league also announced that, for the first season, matches will be broadcast on Zee Sports.[11]

The original ten clubs in the I-League's first season were Air India, Churchill Brothers, Dempo, East Bengal, JCT, Mahindra United, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar, Sporting Goa, and Viva Kerala.

The early seasons (2007–2010)

The first ever I-League match took place on 24 November 2007 between Dempo and Salgaocar. The match, which took place at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, ended 3–0 in favour of Dempo with Chidi Edeh scoring the first ever goal in league history in the third minute.[12] After eighteen rounds it was Dempo who came out as the first ever champions in the I-League.[13] Viva Kerala and Salgaocar, however, ended up as the first two teams to ever be relegated from the I-League.[14]

The next season the I-League was expanded from 10 to 12 teams. Mumbai, Chirag United, Mohammedan, and Vasco were all promoted from the I-League 2nd Division to make the expansion possible.[15] This however brought up early concerns over how "national" the I-League was. The 2008–09 season would see eleven of the twelve teams come from three different cities. The previous season saw all ten teams come from four different cities.[15] Bhaichung Bhutia, then captain of the Indian national team, said that it was the federations job to spread the game across the country and that it needed to happen.[15]

Regardless of the early criticism, the I-League went on as scheduled and once the 2008–09 season concluded. it was Churchill Brothers who came out on top.[16] Then, before the 2009–10 season, the league was once again expanded from 12 teams to 14. In order to make this happen Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Pune, and Shillong Lajong were all promoted from the 2nd Division to the I-League.[17] This helped the I-League retain some criticism about how national the league was as now the league would be played in seven different cities/states: Goa, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Punjab, and Shillong.[17]

After the 2009–10 season it was Dempo who came out on top for the second time in I-League history.[13]

Baljit Saini of JCT FC against Dempo SC during I-League 2008-09 at Guru Nanak Stadium Ludhiana.

Conflict of parties

On 9 December 2010 the All India Football Federation signed a 15-year, 700-crore deal with Reliance Industries and International Management Group of the United States.[18] The deal gave IMG-Reliance exclusive commercial rights to sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, video, franchising, and rights to create a new football league.[18] This deal came about after the AIFF ended their 10-year deal with Zee Sports five years early.[19]

Two months later, on 8 February 2011, it was reported that twelve of the fourteen I-League clubs held a private meeting in Mumbai to discuss the ongoing issues related to the league.[20] It was never revealed what was exactly talked about at this meeting.[20] Then, on 22 February, it was announced that the same twelve I-League clubs that attended the meeting would not be signing the AFC–licensing papers needed to play in the I-League.[21] The reasoning for this was because the I-League clubs were not happy over the fact that IMG-Reliance had so far done nothing to promote the I-League and that they demanded the I-League be made a separate entity from both the AIFF and IMG-Reliance.[21] At this time however there were rumours that IMG-Reliance had been planning on revamping the I-League along the same lines as Major League Soccer of the United States for the 2012–13 season.[21]

On 11 March 2012, following the disbanding of two former I-League clubs – JCT and Mahindra United, it was announced that the I-League clubs would be forming their own organization known as the Indian Professional Football Clubs Association (IPFCA) in order to safeguard their interest and promote football in India.[22] Every club, except for HAL and AIFF–owned Pailan Arrows, joined the newly formed organization.[22] Soon after, it was announced that there would be a meeting held between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA on 20 April 2012. In this meeting, IMG-Reliance would present their plan on how they would grow the I-League but the meeting never occurred for reasons unknown.[23]

Then, on 4 May 2012, the AIFF hosted the last ad hoc meeting – an annual meeting between the AFC and AIFF to assess the growth of Indian football. The AFC president at the time, Zhang Jilong, was also in attendance at this meeting.[24] It was reported that the IPFCA would use this meeting to voice their displeasure at the AIFF and IMG-Reliance but the association never showed up at the meeting.[24]

On 18 June 2012 the IPFCA was officially sanctioned under the Society's Act of 1960.[25]

League improvement
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu underwent trials at then Premier League side Wigan Athletic and finally signing for Stabæk Fotball in 2014.
Johnny Acosta (2014, 2018 FIFA World Cup)
Carlos Hernández (2006 FIFA World Cup), (2004 Copa America)
Sunil Chhetri and Gouramangi Singh Indian highest paid footballer in I-League with a rumoured of Rs 1.2 Cr or Rs 1.05 Cr)
Enrique Esqueda, highest paid footballer in I-League with Rs 4.2 Cr

Despite the ongoing war between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA, the league did manage to improve its product on the field and awareness did increase during this period. It all started when the India national team participated in the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 for the first time in 27 years.[26] Despite being knocked-out in the group stage after losing all three of their games, India came back home more popular than ever. Subrata Pal, of Pune gained the most popularity after his impressive performances in goal for India during the Asian Cup.[27] At the same time, before the Asian Cup, Sunil Chhetri became the second Indian footballer in the modern footballing era to move abroad when he signed for the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer in 2010. He also became the first exported Indian from the I-League.[28]

The league was then given a major boost from its main derby, the Kolkata derby, between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. On 20 November 2011, 90,000 people watched at the Salt Lake Stadium as Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal 1–0.[29] The league also saw more expansion to others areas with the promotion of United Sikkim from the 2nd Division,[30] however, their reign was short lived as financial troubles saw them relegated the next season.[31]

Meanwhile, while the league continued to grow, so did the players' demand. During this period plenty of Indian players were wanted on trial by foreign clubs, mainly in Europe. After his return from MLS, Sunil Chhetri and international teammate Jeje Lalpekhlua were called for trials at Scottish Premier League side Rangers in 2011.[32] Subrata Pal had trials at RB Leipzig before finally signing for Vestsjælland in 2014.[33] And Gurpreet Singh Sandhu underwent trials at then Premier League side Wigan Athletic and finally signing for Stabæk Fotball, Norway in 2014.[34]

At the same time, as Indian players demand abroad increased, the demand for higher quality foreigners in the I-League also increased. Former A-League player of the year and Costa Rican international Carlos Hernández signed with Prayag United before the 2012–13 season from the Melbourne Victory.[35] Lebanese international Bilal Najjarine also signed with Churchill Brothers in 2012.[36] Former A-League player of the year and New land international Leo Bertos signed with East Bangal before the 2010 FIFA world cup player. East Bengal FC roped in Costa Rica national team centre-back Johnny Acosta East Bengal ropes in Costa Rican World Cupper Johnny Acosta Zamora - who played all 3 games in the 2018 FIFA World Cup for a rumored fee of Rs. 1.4 Cr.
On 18 August, East Bengal FC announced former Real madrid B manager Alejandro Menéndez García as the new coach.Alejandro Menendez's appointment marks the beginning of new era in East Bengal On 24 August, East Bengal FC announced the signing of former Granada C.F. centreback Borja Gómez Pérez. East Bengal sign Spanish defender Borja Gomez Perez On 30 August, East Bengal FC signed former Mexico international Enrique Esqueda on a free transfer, however making him the highest paid footballer in I-League with a rumoured of Rs 4.2 Cr.

AFC Award

Developing League Silver

Champions
Further information: Indian football champions

Successful clubs by seasons
Season Champions Runners-up Third place
2007–08 Dempo (1/3) Churchill Brothers JCT
2008–09 Churchill Brothers (1/2) Mohun Bagan Sporting Goa
2009–10 Dempo (2/3) Churchill Brothers Pune
2010–11 Salgaocar East Bengal Dempo
2011–12 Dempo (3/3) East Bengal Churchill Brothers
2012–13 Churchill Brothers (2/2) Pune East Bengal
2013–14 Bengaluru (1/2) East Bengal Salgaocar
2014–15 Mohun Bagan (1/2) Bengaluru Royal Wahingdoh
2015–16 Bengaluru (2/2) Mohun Bagan East Bengal
2016–17 Aizawl Mohun Bagan East Bengal
2017–18 Minerva Punjab NEROCA Mohun Bagan
2018-19 Chennai City East Bengal Real Kashmir
2019-20 Mohun Bagan (2/2) Not Awarded[lower-alpha 1]
Notes
  1. Matches after 14 March 2020 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohun Bagan were declared the champions having huge point difference between the second placed club and no runners-up were announced as remaining clubs were very closely placed in the points table.[37]

Performance by clubs
ClubTitlesRunners-upThird placeWinning seasonsRunners-up seasonsThird place seasons
Dempo 3 0 1 2007-08,2009–10,2011–12 2010-11
Mohun Bagan 2 3 1 2014-15, 2019–20 2008-09, 2015–16, 2016–17 2017-18
Churchill Brothers 2 2 1 2008-09, 2012–13 2007-08, 2009–10 2011-12
Bengaluru 2 1 0 2013-14, 2015–16 2014-15
Salgaocar 1 0 1 2010-11 2013-14
Aizawl 1 0 0 2016-17
Punjab 1 0 0 2017-18
Chennai City 1 0 0 2018-19
East Bengal 0 4 3 2010-11, 2011–12, 2013–14,

2018-19

 2012-13, 2015–16, 2016–17
Pune 0 1 1 2012-13 2009-10
NEROCA 0 1 0 2017-18
JCT 0 0 1 2007-08
Sporting Goa 0 0 1 2008-09
Royal Wahingdoh 0 0 1 2014-15
Real Kashmir 0 0 1 2018-19
  • Bold Plays in current I league season.

All-time table

The following is a list of clubs who have played in the I-League at any time since its formation in 2007 to the current season. Teams playing in the 2019–20 I-League season are indicated in bold. Defunct teams are indicated in italic. A total of 32 teams have played in the I-League. The table is accurate as of the start of the 2019–20 season.

Pos. Team S P W D L F A D Pts 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st App Since/Last App Highest finish
1East Bengal13276126757542528214345304322007–082007–082nd
2Mohun Bagan132761268565430301129451[38]23122007–082007–081st
3Churchill Brothers10224104625840427512937422122007–082016–171st
4Dempo818890524633720912832230122007–082014–151st
5Salgaocar81827046662582292925610102007–082015–161st
6Sporting Goa8178625759241249-824300112007–082015–163rd
7Pune61486345402191685123401102009–102014–152nd
8Mumbai9204537279219281-6223100002008–092016–175th
9Shillong Lajong9194535685220316-9621500002009–102018–195th
10United SC6150485547202200219900012008–092013–144th
11Bengaluru FC478422016131795214621012013–142016–171st
12Air India6144334566142249-10714400002007–082012–138th
13Aizawl587302730104100411710002015–162015–161st
14JCT49229273693100-711400102007–082010–113rd
15Indian Arrows6130273271112203-9111300002010–112017–188th
16Mahindra United36625251697692810000012007–082009–104th
17Chennai City47126212496101-59910002016–172016–171st
18Punjab4722223277489-158910002016–172016–171st
19Chirag United Club Kerala49622235196160-648900002007–082011–129th
20NEROCA354211320727207601002017–182017–182nd
21Gokulam Kerala3531515236275-136000002017–182017–187th
22Real Kashmir235161184128135900102018–192018–193rd
23ONGC2521219215576-215500002010–112012–139th
24Mohammedan2461113224466-224600002008–092013–1411th
25DSK Shivajians234712153855-173300002015–162016–177th
26HAL2527113437108-713200002010–112011–1212th
27Royal Wahingdoh120866272703000102014–152014–153rd
28Rangdajied United12467112938-92500002013–142013–1411th
29TRAU1176471727-102200002019–202019–20n/a
30Bharat FC12046101328-151800002014–152014–1511th
31United Sikkim12629152363-401500002012–132012–1314th
32Vasco SC12224161449-351000002008–092008–0912th
2019–20 I-League
I-League 2nd Division
Regional Leagues
Indian Super League
Defunct Clubs

Rivalries

There are several key rivalries and local derbies that have formed in the I-League, including:

Kolkata Derby
Goa Derby
Northeast Derby
South Indian Derby
Manipur Derby

Competition format

Competition

Since the league began in 2007 the rules of the league have changed almost yearly. Currently, the league has 11 teams. Each club played each other twice during the season, once at home and the other away from home. The team that wins a match receives three points while both teams earn point if they draw. A loser is not awarded any points. At the end of the season, the team with the most points wins the league. In the case of a tie then head to head record is looked upon. further, in the case of a tie, the goal difference is looked upon of the tied teams.[39]

AFC qualification

Clubs from the I-League primarily participate internationally in the AFC Cup, however, some I-League clubs have had the chance to qualify for the AFC Champions League. From 2007 to 2011 the champions of the previous season of the I-League were allowed to play in a qualifier for the Champions League.[40] Then from 2011 to 2013 no I-League club played in a qualifier till Pune in 2014 after the club passed the AFC Licensing Criteria.[41] However, to this day, no I-League club has actually qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage.

Sponsorship

Since the original National Football League, the Indian league has always been sponsored. When the I-League began in 2007 the last sponsor from the old National Football League, ONGC, where brought in as the sponsors, making the league be known as the ONGC I-League.[42] However, after the 2010–11 season, the deal with ONGC was not renewed and the I-League was left without a sponsorship deal till 2013.[43] On 24 September 2013, it was announced that telecommunications company, Airtel would be the new title sponsor of the I-League, thus making the league known as the Airtel I-League.[44] In December 2014, it was announced that Hero MotoCorp would replace Airtel as the title sponsor for the league and hence the league would be known has Hero I-League.[45]

Period Sponsor Industry Tournament
2007–11 ONGC Petroleum Industry ONGC I-League
2011–13 none N/A I-League
2013–14 Airtel Telecommunications Airtel I-League
2014–present Hero Automotive Industry Hero I-League

Media coverage

Since 2007 the I-League has managed to find a way to be telecast, which is drastic in increasing the profile and popularity of the league. Before the inaugural 2007–08 season the All India Football Federation reached a deal with Zee Sports to broadcast 45 of the 90 matches that season with TEN Sports broadcasting 15 matches in the inaugural season.[46] The deal with Zee Sports was a continuation of the 10-year deal reached between the AIFF and Zee Sports in 2005.[47] However, in October 2009, Zee Sports reportedly sent a letter to the AIFF asking for the Federation to review the 10-year contract after concerns were raised by the broadcaster that the league was not attracting as many sponsors as they would have liked.[47] In August 2010 it was revealed that there were crunch talks between the AIFF and Zee Sports over these concerns and that there was a provision in the 10-year deal that said it could be reviewed after the first five years.[48] All India Football Federation (AIFF) has signed a three-year deal with Lex Sportel Vision Pvt. Ltd. to broadcast the I-League on DSport starting 2019-20 season. The 13th edition of I-League is scheduled to commence from 30 November, featuring 11 teams and 110 matches.Separately, AIFF has commissioned Instat Limited – an Ireland based company to produce feed of the live audio-visual coverage for the broadcast on DSport. Instat will produce all games with an 8-camera setup. AIFF’s agreement with Instat Limited will run for three years.I-League for past two seasons was showcased on Star Sports. However, as per the request of the I-League clubs, the AIFF & FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) negotiated the deal with the new broadcast partner providing exclusive rights for on-air and digital content.

Period TV Telecast Online Streaming
2007–10 Zee Sports
2010–17 Ten Action, Ten Sports DittoTV
2017–19 Star Sports 2 & Star Sports 3 Hotstar, Jio TV
2019– 1Sports Facebook, FanCode

Local Broadcasters
Country Language Broadcasters
 India English 1Sports
Bengali Kolkata TV
Malayalam Twentyfour News

Criticisms

Financial situation

One of the major criticisms of the I-League has been the league's continuing financial instability.[49] Since the league began in 2007 the league has seen four clubs disband their operations – Chirag United Kerala, JCT, Mahindra United, and Pailan Arrows.[50][51] When JCT disbanded, head of operations, Samir Thapar stated that the lack of any credible exposure and money as a major reason for JCT disbanding.[49] The majority of clubs in the league rely on main sponsors the fund the team through a season at least. This is mainly due to the fact that clubs in the I-League do not rely on income from merchandise sales or ticket sales and that television revenue goes directly to the All India Football Federation instead of the clubs.[49]

Currently, attendance in the I-League is suffering as the 2013–14 season only averaged 5,618 per game.[52] Mohun Bagan averaged the most spectators that season with an average of 17,068 while Shillong Lajong ended up being the only other I-League club to finish with an average attendance over 10,000 when the finished at 11,308 per game.[52] Part of the reason for these attendances other than the lack of marketing has been cited as being the fact that most I-League matches start in the afternoon, when it is uncomfortably hot for fans, rather than during the cooler evenings.[53]

Institutional football

Most football clubs in India are what are termed Institutional teams, in other words controlled or owned by an industrial business.[54] That means it is difficult for players or coaches to turn into complete professionals.[54] The players who play for institutional teams would also work on a full-time job outside the game for his company the team was sponsored by.[54] This is much the same model which was found in Japan before the introduction of the J. League.[55] The positives are that the teams are usually well resourced with players earning decent money and the reassuring prospect of employment after their footballing days finish.[54] On the negative side, teams only effectively represent an individual business with a few thousand workers, rather than whole cities, and thus do not gain broad general support.[54]

On 21 February 2014 it was officially announced that the two remaining institutional clubs in the I-League – Air India and ONGC – had been expelled from the I-League and that all other institutional clubs would not be allowed to participate in the league.[56]

Clubs
Locations of the I-League clubs

Stadiums and locations
Team City/State Stadium Capacity
Aizawl Aizawl, Mizoram Rajiv Gandhi Stadium 20,000
Chennai City Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 30,000
Churchill Brothers Margao, Goa Fatorda Stadium 20,000
East Bengal Kolkata, West Bengal Kalyani Stadium 15,000
Gokulam Kerala Kozhikode, Kerala Kozhikode EMS Stadium 80,000
Indian Arrows Vasco da Gama, Goa
Mumbai, Maharashtra		 Tilak Maidan Stadium
Cooperage Ground		 5,000
5,000
NEROCA Imphal, Manipur Khuman Lampak Main Stadium 35,000
Punjab Ludhiana, Punjab Guru Nanak Stadium 15,000
Real Kashmir Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir TRC Turf Ground 15,000
Sudeva FC[57] New Delhi[58]
TRAU Imphal, Manipur Khuman Lampak Main Stadium 35,000

Stadiums
Aizawl Chennai City Churchill Brothers East Bengal Gokulam Kerala
Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Fatorda Stadium Kalyani Stadium Kozhikode EMS Stadium
Capacity: 25,415 Capacity: 30,000 Capacity: 20,000 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 80,000
Indian Arrows Punjab NEROCA TRAU Real Kashmir Sudeva FC
Tilak Maidan Stadium Guru Nanak Stadium Khuman Lampak Main Stadium Khuman Lampak Main Stadium TRC Turf Ground –
Capacity: 5,000 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 35,000 Capacity: 35,000 Capacity: 15,000

Current clubs
Club Name Owners Home stadium Capacity Seasons in IL Best finish Worst finish Spell in level 1
Aizawl Robert Romawia Royte Rajiv Gandhi Stadium 25,415 2012 to present 1st, 2016–17 8th, 2015–16 from 2015
Chennai City Rohit Ramesh and Family 69%, R Krishnakumar (5%) & FC Basel (26%) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 45,000 2016 to present 1st, 2018–19 8th, 2016–17,2017–18 from 2016
Churchill Brothers Churchill Alemao Fatorda Stadium 20,000 2007 to 2014; 2016 to present 1st, 2008–09,2012–13 8th, 2013–14 from 2016
East Bengal East Bengal Club Pvt. Ltd. Salt Lake Stadium 85,000 2007 to present 2nd, 2010–11,2011–12,2013–14,2018–19 9th, 2009–10 from 2007
Gokulam Kerala Sree Gokulam Group Kozhikode EMS Stadium 80,000 2017 to present 7th, 2017–18 9th, 2018–19 from 2017
Indian Arrows All India Football Federation Tilak Maidan Stadium
Kalinga Stadium		 5,000
15,000		 2010 to 2013,2017 to present 8th, 2011–12 13th, 2017–18 from 2017
Punjab F.C. RoundGlass Sports Guru Nanak Stadium 15,000 2015 to present 1st, 2017–18 9th, 2016–17,2018–19 from 2016
NEROCA NEROCA Football Club Pvt. Ltd. Khuman Lampak Main Stadium 45,000 2015 to present 2nd, 2017–18 6th, 2018–19 from 2017
Real Kashmir Shamim Mehraj and Sandeep Chattoo TRC Turf Ground 15,000 2018 to present 3rd, 2018–19 3rd, 2018–19 from 2018
Sudeva FC 2020 to present – – from 2020
TRAU TRAU Football Club Pvt. Ltd. Khuman Lampak Main Stadium 45,000 2017 to present TBD, 2019–20 TBD, 2019–20 from 2019

Former clubs
Club Seasons in I-league Best finish Worst finish Current league
Shillong Lajong 2009 to 2019 5th, 2016–17 14th, 2009–10 I-League 2nd Division
Mohammedan 2008 to 2009,2013 to 2014 11th, 2008–09 13th, 2013–14 I-League 2nd Division
Dempo 2007 to 2015 1st, 2007–08,2009–10, 2011–12 10th, 2014–15 Goa Professional League
Salgaocar 2007 to 2008, 2009 to 2016 1st, 2010–11 10th, 2007–08 Goa Professional League
Bengaluru FC 2013 to 2017 1st, 2013–14, 2015–16 4th, 2016–17 Indian Super League
United 2008 to 2014 4th, 2012–13 10th, 2012–14 Calcutta Premier Division B
Sporting Clube de Goa 2007 to 2010, 2011 to 2016 3rd, 2008–09 13th, 2009–10 Goa Professional League
Pune 2009 to 2015 2nd, 2012–13 7th, 2013–14 PDFA Super Division
Royal Wahingdoh 2014 to 2015 3rd, 2014–15 3rd, 2014–15 Shillong Premier League
Air India 2007 to 2013 8th, 2007–08 13th, 2012–13 Mumbai Football League
Rangdajied United 2013 to 2014 10th, 2013–14 10th, 2013–14 Shillong Premier League
Vasco 2008 to 2009 12th, 2008–09 12th, 2008–09 Goa Professional League
DSK Shivajians 2015 to 2017 7th, 2016–17 9th, 2015–16 Pune Football League
ONGC 2010 to 2011, 2012 to 2013 9th, 2012–13 14th, 2010–11 Mumbai Football League
HAL 2010 to 2012 12th, 2010–11 14th, 2011–12 Bangalore Super Division
Mohun Bagan 2007 to 2020 1st, 2014–15, 2019–20 10th, 2012–13 Indian Super League (merged with ATK to form ATK Mohun Bagan)
JCT 2007 to 2011 3rd, 2007–08 13th, 2010–11 Defunct
United Sikkim 2012 to 2013 14th, 2012–13 14th, 2012–13 Defunct
Mumbai 2007 to 2017 5th, 2015–16 11th, 2009–10, 2012-12 Defunct
Mahindra United 2007 to 2010 4th, 2009–10 5th, 2007–08, 2008–09 Defunct
Viva Kerala 2007 to 2008 ,2009 to 2012 9th, 2008–09 12th, 2011–12 Defunct
Bharat 2014 to 2015 11th, 2014–15 11th, 2014–15 Defunct

Head coaches

The role of the head coach in the I-League varies from club to club. Some clubs in the I-League like to appoint technical directors as well as head coaches and the technical directors for the most part are given the power the select the squad and sometimes the entire team management.[59] The All India Football Federation does impose licensing requirements for head coaches in the I-League, the rule being that the head coach must have an AFC A-License in order to coach in the I-League, however, some clubs and coaches like Subhash Bhowmick, Subrata Bhattacharya, Sukhwinder Singh, and Bimal Ghosh are known for accepting a technical directors role in order to bypass the head coaching requirements without an A-License.[59] This has bought about a lot of controversial news in the I-League, most recently being when Churchill Brothers won the I-League after the 2012–13 season with Subhash Bhowmick running the entire team on and off the field but not winning the "Coach of the Year" award due to being listed as the technical director and not the head coach.[59]

Seeing this, the AIFF technical director, Rob Baan, as well as others, advocated that the federation make it mandatory for both technical directors and head coaches to have an AFC A-License.[59] On 14 May 2014 this was officially put into act by the AIFF during their I-League licensing committee meeting.[60]

In terms of coaching performance, after the first seven seasons of the I-League, an Indian head coach has won the I-League four times while a foreign head coach has won it three times. Zoran Đorđević of Serbia was the first ever foreign head coach to win the I-League[61] while the second coach was Karim Bencherifa of Morocco.[62] Englishman Ashley Westwood was the most recent foreign coach to win the I-League in the 2014–15 season.[63]

Armando Colaco was the first Indian coach to win the I-League in the league's opening season and he has the most I-League championships at three.[64] Mariano Dias and Khalid Jamil the only other Indian coach to win the I-League.[65]

The current head coaches in the I-League are:

Current head coaches
Nat. Name Club Appointed Time in charge
David RobertsonReal Kashmir2 January 20173 years, 228 days
Akbar NawasChennai City19 March 20182 years, 151 days
Stanley RozarioAizawl9 January 20191 year, 221 days
VacantGokulam Kerala FC1 June 20191 year, 77 days
Gift RaikhanNEROCA1 June 20191 year, 77 days
Curtis FlemingPunjab FC15 June 202063 days
Bernardo TavaresChurchill Brothers28 November 2019263 days
Shanmugam VenkateshIndian Arrows29 November 2019262 days
Mario RiveraEast Bengal FC23 January 2020207 days
L.Nandakumar SinghTRAU27 January 2020203 days
Former Dempo manager Armando Colaco was the longest serving and most successful manager in the history of the I League.
Winning head coaches
Head coach Wins Winning years
Armando Colaco 3 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12
Ashley Westwood 2 2013–14, 2015–16
Khalid Jamil 1 2016–17
Sanjoy Sen 2014–15
Kibu Vicuña 2019–20
Akbar Nawas 2018–19
Khogen Singh 2017–18
Mariano Dias 2012–13
Zoran Đorđević 2008–09
Karim Bencherifa 2010–11

Player transfer fees

Top transfer fees paid by I League clubs
RankPlayerFee (min)YearTransferTransferReference
1 Uga Okpara ₹7 crore (US$980,000) 2009 Enyimba East Bengal
2 Odafa Onyeka Okolie ₹3 crore (US$420,000) 2011 Mohun Bagan Churchill Brothers
3 Lester Fernandez ₹20 lakh (US$28,000) 2012 Pune Prayag United
4 Ronaldo Oliveira ₹10 lakh (US$14,000) 2019 Salgaocar East Bengal

Top transfer fees received by I League clubs
RankPlayerFee (min)YearTransferTransferReference
1 Khalid Aucho ₹4 crore (US$560,000) 2019 Churchill Brothers Misr Lel Makkasa
2 Sunil Chhetri ₹1.14 crore (US$160,000) 2014 Bengaluru Mumbai City
3 Pedro Manzi ₹1 crore (US$140,000) 2020 Chennai City Albirex Niigata
4 Eugeneson Lyngdoh ₹90 lakh (US$130,000) 2014 Bengaluru Pune City

Individual game highest attendance records
Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Stadium Date
1Mohun Bagan1–0East Bengal90,000Salt Lake Stadium20 November 2011
2Mohun Bagan0–1East Bengal80,000Salt Lake Stadium24 November 2013
3Mohun Bagan1–1East Bengal63,342Salt Lake Stadium26 January 2016
4Mohun Bagan1–0East Bengal57,780Salt Lake Stadium28 March 2015

Stats and players

Seasonal statistics
SeasonTotal GoalsMatches playedAverage per Game
2007–08226902.51[66]
2008–093181322.41[67]
2009–104861822.67[68]
2010–114891822.69[69]
2011–125211822.88[70]
2012–135301822.91[71]
2013–144021562.47[72]
2014–152801102.55[73]
2015–16186722.58[74]
2016–17225902.5[75]
2017–18204902.27[76]
2018–193031092.78
2019–2018769[lower-alpha 1]2.71

Top scorers
Main article: I-League Golden Boot

Season after season, players in the I-League compete for the golden boot title, which is awarded at the end of each season to the top scorer throughout the entire season. The most recent winners of the golden boot are Sunil Chhetri, Darryl Duffy, and Cornell Glenn, who all won the golden boot at the end of the 2013–14 season after scoring 14 goals each. Odafe Onyeka Okolie and Ranti Martins are both currently the holders of the most golden boot titles with three and four each. The two Nigerians make up the seven golden boots won by Nigerians, the most of any nationality in the league.

  1. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the league was suspended after 14 March 2020. Only champions were awarded and remaining prize money in the league was equally divided among the remaining participating clubs and no individual prize money was also not awarded.[37] However, Aser Pierrick Dipanda of Minerva Punjab scored the highest number of goals, having scored 12 goals in 15 matches; whereas, Rochharzela of Aizawl scored 6 goals in 15 matches, highest among Indians.[84]

Awards

The trophy

The I-League has only been awarding a proper trophy to the champion since 2013 when the 2012–13 season champions, Churchill Brothers, won the league.[85] Before 2013 the I-League champions received a basic trophy.[85] The new trophy was designed in Europe and is modeled along the lines of the champion trophies in the top European leagues.[85] Regarding the trophy, the AIFF general secretary, Kushal Das, said "It is the endeavour of AIFF to practice the best principles of other leagues and accordingly we thought to create a more contemporary look to the I-League trophy in line with trophies given in European leagues".[85]

Player and coach awards

End of season I-League awards are currently conducted by the Football Players' Association of India since 2009. The awards include best head coach, best foreign player, best Indian player, best young player, and the fans player of the year. The AIFF give out the best referee award.

Prizes

Prize money

As updated on 28 February 2018.

Purse
Champions₹ 1 crore
1st Runners-up₹ 60 Lakhs
2nd Runners-up₹ 40 Lakhs
Fourth₹ 25 Lakhs
Matchday Subsidy₹ 1 Lakh
Match winner₹ 50 Thousand
Hero of the Match₹ 25 Thousand

I-League clubs in Asia

Traditionally, I-League clubs have done particularly well in the AFC Cup. In 2008 Dempo managed to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup before being defeated by Al-Safa of Lebanon.[98] East Bengal also managed to reach the semi-finals in 2013 before being knocked-out by Kuwait SC.[99] Bengaluru FC have recently made it to the AFC Final.[100]

In the AFC Champions League however, no I-League club has ever managed to make it past the qualifiers.[101]

Season AFC Cup Position AFC Champions League Position
2008–09 Mohun Bagan 4th in Group Stage Dempo Qualifiers
Dempo Semi-Final
2009–10 East Bengal 4th in Group Stage Churchill Brothers Qualifiers
Churchill Brothers Round of 16
2010–11 East Bengal 4th in Group Stage Dempo Qualifiers
Dempo Round of 16
2011–12 East Bengal 4th in Group Stage Salgaocar DNP
Salgaocar 4th in Group Stage
2012–13 East Bengal Semi-Final Churchill Brothers DNP
Churchill Brothers 3rd in Group Stag
2013–14 Churchill Brothers Round of 16 Pune Qualifiers
Pune 4th in Group Stage
2014–15 Bengaluru FC Round of 16 Bengaluru FC Preliminary Round 1
East Bengal 3rd in Group Stage
2015–16 Mohun Bagan Round of 16 Mohun Bagan Preliminary Round 2
Bengaluru FC Runner-up
2016–17 Bengaluru FC Interzonal finals Bengaluru FC Preliminary Round 2
Mohun Bagan Group stage
2017–18 Aizawl 4th in Group Stage Aizawl Play-off round
Bengaluru FC Interzonal semifinals
2018–19 Minerva Punjab 3rd in Group Stage Minerva Punjab Preliminary Round 2
2019–20 Chennai City TBD Chennai City Preliminary Round 1
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See also

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