Vishnu Prasad By

CHENNAI: The All India Football Federation’s proposal to install a longer version of the Indian Super League as the country’s top tier has met with opposition from certain I-League clubs. But ISL franchises, who will have to make major changes to play in a longer league, have started rallying behind the proposal.

Last week, FC Pune City CEO Gaurav Modwel had said he was excited about the ISL being held over seven months. On Tuesday, it was the turn of Chennaiyin FC co-owner Abhishek Bachchan to second the AIFF proposal.

“That was always the ambition,” Abhishek told Express. “The ambition was to have a tournament that takes place the year around. We knew we would have to start small. But the response we got shows this is a league that can sustain an year long competitive tournament. Happy that we’re working towards it. This was always part of the plan.”

Plans call for the ISL to be played over five months as early as 2017. Abhishek believes it is a realistic time-frame. “If you’re not going to set competitive targets, you’re never going to do anything. So I would rather work with that sword hanging over us, knowing that the time is approaching fast.”

With almost all ISL clubs making losses of up to `30 crore, the financial feasibility of holding a league over seven months has been much debated. Abhishek believes he has a plan to keep books balanced. “You also get to spread your costs over a period of time. You can strike better deals, with sponsors bound to be more interested with the increase in exposure. So, while some costs will escalate, others will go down.”

Doubts have also been expressed over the ISL’s ability to attract players once the league becomes longer and goes into direct competition with the likes of the Chinese Super League and MLS. Abhishek believes ISL will be a lucrative destination for international players, be it a three-month league or longer. “The great thing is, players come to play football. I can’t think of any player in Chennaiyin FC who won’t be happy to have a longer league. They came here for the football. No one came to us for a quick pay cheque.”

For the upcoming season, Abhishek revealed the team was in advanced talks with title-winning coach Marco Materazzi, but refused to say more until it was confirmed. He also revealed he was okay with Chennaiyin FC tying up with an international club. “I’m open to tying up with anybody, on a technical basis, primarily to share talent. We prefer keeping the Chennaiyin FC brand sanitized. But if there’s anybody we can tie up with for an exchange of knowledge or players, we’ll be up for it.”