The FIFA president opted to be diplomatic in his reply when pressed on his thoughts on the proposed roadmap for Indian football…

Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, was asked to comment on the proposed roadmap for Indian football and the fact that several legacy clubs expressing their concerns on the same.

From 2017, Indian football will have three leagues in its pyramid. The lowest block in the hierarchy has been christened 'League Two'. All League Two teams will correspond directly with the I-League's second division, with the new league consisting of 10 teams. Promotion is guaranteed for the teams finishing top of the table. The AIFF will look for teams from unrepresented areas such as Bihar, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh and so on.

The second tier of India's new football structure is called the 'League One'. This corresponds directly with the I-League. 10 teams will participate in this league as well, with relegation a part of their system.

The top tier of Indian football will de facto be the ISL. Here besides the eight teams already participating in the three-month league currently, the committee is looking to add few (number not decided upon) teams to the league. However, there will be no relegation or promotion for now.

How Arsenal and Basel could line up in the Champions League

It is yet to be decided as to how many I-League teams will be absorbed into the new top tier of Indian football. All that is certain is that the ISL will be open to new teams, besides being reinvigorated into a league of a longer duration. The new teams will be picked through a tendering process.

“It is work in progress and it is important that football in India develops. The I-League is the official league and the Indian Super League (ISL) has had considerable success as well. It is important that talks and discussions go on and I am sure in a country which is famous for making compromises when it is necessary, some compromises will be found.

“The promotion and the protection of course of legacy and historic clubs have to be balanced. All interests have to be balanced to a right decision and whatever FIFA can contribute, I have full trust,” he replied.