Mumbai Tigers I-League Exit Raises 'Suspicion" Of Move To IMG-Reliance League

The withdrawal of Indian football franchise Mumbai Tigers from the I-League "after being granted a direct entry has raised suspicion that they are now interested in the new tournament proposed to be held early next year by the All India Football Federation's marketing partners, IMG-Reliance," according to Marcus Mergulhao of the TIMES OF INDIA. Mumbai Tigers' "decision to withdraw, curiously, came on Tuesday, a day after IMG-R had written to I-League clubs to discuss whether they are interested in bidding for teams and providing players for the new competition." The Mumbai Tigers are "owned by the Dubai-based Dodsal Group." Mumbai Tigers officials "have remained unavailable to explain why they opted out of India's premier football competition, just two months after bending over backwards to secure a direct spot in the same competition" (TIMES OF INDIA, 9/6).