And does this latest row between the two top leagues of Indian football bring more sorrow for the sport in a country currently 101st among 211 countries in the football Fifa World ranking? The launch of cash-rich ISL in 2014 left Indian football a divided house.Ten new franchises with deep pockets were ushered in after closed-door bids. While top I-League clubs had an annual budget of Rs 10-15 crore, ISL clubs spent Rs 30-40 crore and paid an annual franchise fee of Rs 12-15 crore. The new ISL clubs have more money and support of the federation. That will definitely not take Indian football ahead.

Source: Economic Times April 09, 2019 18:00 UTC