Mumbai Tigers Football Club Drops Out Of I-League Days Before Start Of New Season

Just days before the start of the new season, one of the I-League's two new inductees, the Mumbai Tigers, has informed the All India Football Federation that "it is withdrawing from this season's competition," according to Mark Baber of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. The AIFF website reported, "The Mumbai based Club informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that they are not ready at the moment to participate in the First Division and need more time to prepare for participation in the I-League." The AIFF said that "they had no warning of the withdrawal and the I-League will continue with just 13 teams and no changes to the dates of matches which have already been announced." I-League CEO Sunando Dhar said, "We did not have any idea that this could be coming. Suddenly they (Mumbai Tigers) sent a letter to us that they are not ready to play in the I-League this season. Only 13 teams will be there in the I-League this year" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 9/4).