Five I-League Clubs On Board For Inaugural Indian Super League

IMG-Reliance, the marketing partner of the All India Football Federation and organizer of the Indian Super League, has "managed to convince five I-League clubs to take part with their players for the cash-rich tournament scheduled to kick-start later this year," according to Marcus Mergulhao of the TIMES OF INDIA. IMG-Reliance was engaged in a "bitter war with I-League clubs"-- who came together under the banner of Indian Professional Football Clubs Association  -- over the release of their players on loan for the tournament. Dempo Sports Club and Shillong Lajong FC "will automatically be part of the ISL since their owners are League Partners and will use their players for the Goa and Guwahati franchise respectively." Fourteen of their best players "will be allowed to take part in the ISL, while Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mumbai FC are the other clubs who are understood to have reached an agreement with the organizers" (TIMES OF INDIA, 6/13).