Delhi's Super League in a spot after Hindustan FC's legal notice

Hindustan FC has objected to two teams being added to the Super League against the “rules and regulations” of the tournament.

Hindustan FC's also questioned the legality behind “disbanding” of the league sub-committee.

A legal notice by Hindustan Football Club has cast a shadow of doubt on the commencement of the Super League to be conducted from May 4 by Football Delhi (FD).

The club has objected to two teams being added to the Super League against the “rules and regulations” of the tournament. The notice also questioned the legality behind “disbanding” of the league sub-committee.

Among the objections raised by Hindustan Club are no action being taken against Sudeva Club for fielding players who were not registered. “There is an appeasement policy which has been adapted by the present regime. Decisions are being taken arbitrarily. It was never so bad in the last 30 years or so,” complained Hindustan Club working president D.K. Bose.

The eight teams which had qualified for the Super League were Ranger FC, Friends United, Delhi United, Tarun Sangha from Group 'A' and Garwal FC, Delhi FC, Sudeva FC and Indian Air Force (New Delhi) from group 'B'. The two teams which have been added are National United FC and Young Men FC.

Tarun Sangha, however, withdrew from the Super League. According to Tarun Sangha secretary Bibhas Maity, “We had no choice because 12 of my players have gone to Kolkata. They have better offers there and no one knows when the Delhi league would be completed.”

City Club president Sharafat Ullah also threatened to take the legal course if FD did not mend its ways. “To make it a 10-team league is a horrible decision. How can you disband the very committee which was to conduct the league? I demand disciplinary action against one of the clubs figuring in the league. It will be best to call for a General Body Meeting and sort out the issues before starting the Super League. Issues can't be allowed to linger otherwise the structure of Delhi football will collapse,” he told Sportstar .

FD president Shaji Prabhakaran assured things would fall in place. “There are issues which have come to this body as a legacy. We are trying to bring in reforms and transparency. It won't happen overnight because there is resistance from some people who have been entrenched in the association for more than three decades. I am trying to cleanse the system but the clubs have to be brought at par. I am not here to please people. I want to impact the game but I will need time. I am trying to improve a system which has not known professionalism for close to 40 years.”