The northeastern club shall once again ply their trade in the country's top division league...

Aizawl FC will be one of the nine contestants in the I-League 2016-17 season after the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Executive Committee decided to reinstate the northeastern club back in the top division.

It must be noted that the Reds from Mizoram got relegated from the I-League last season as they finished eighth on the table, a place above the relegation-immune DSK Shivajians.

“Aizawl will be a part of the I-League. We are looking to promote teams from different regions in the I-League and that policy will always be maintained by the AIFF,” said Praful Patel, the AIFF president.

Meanwhile, Patel confirmed that Dempo SC and Sporting Clube de Goa will be part of the I-League next season and that Aizawl FC isn’t a replacement for Salgaocar FC, who opted out of the competition.

“Aizawl FC is not replacement for Salgaocar FC. I have been contacted by many parties to set-up teams in the I-League and we will also begin advertising to let people know that we are welcoming teams to the I-League,” said Patel.