I-League 2019: No broadcasters yet, league to kick-off on 30 November

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced in a Media Release that the 13th edition of the I-League will kick-off on November 30. The fixtures are expected to be announced only after a deal with a broadcaster is signed. The broadcasters will be announced within a week.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF)'s joint meet in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week also discussed the broadcasting issues of the I-League. The clubs were apparently advised to find their own broadcasters.

A maximum of three foreign players can be replaced by a club during the entire course of Hero I-League 2019-20. Another change in the policy surrounding the dugout is that a maximum of eight officials other than the substitutes will be allowed in the technical area of each team during the game.

However, the U-22 Rule is yet to be ascertained and will be decided on only after the federation meets the I-League Clubs. More uncertainties surround the Nation's Interim Cup Competition is the number of teams participating. Independent sources suggest that 2017 champions Aizawl FC are not willing to continue their operations or intend to only focus on the Mizoram Premier League due to financial strains.

Shillong Lajong, who got relegated last season, have apparently been in touch with the AIFF to take part in the I-League as a replacement for Aizawl FC. It is also unclear if the AIFF Development side Indian Arrows will be part of the I-League after it has come to the notice that AIFF is willing to field a developmental side in the I-League 2nd division rather than in the I-League.

The teams which will join the I-League 2nd Division with the AIFF development team subject to fulfilment of required criteria are Bhowanipore FC, Mohammedan SC, Lonestar Kashmir FC, ARA FC, NGR Football Club Jammu, Kickstart FC Karnataka, FC Bengaluru United, FC Kerala, Garhwal FC, AU Rajasthan FC, ATK Reserves, Jamshedpur FC Reserves, Bengaluru B, Chennaiyin FC B, FC Goa B, Kerala Blasters B, Mumbai City B, Hyderabad FC B and a development side of Minerva Punjab in association with their commercial partners RoundGlass.