# Sports

‘We’re helpless, Indian football is deprived’

"It's difficult to fight against the Ambanis (the organisers of ISL). We are helpless and will protest silently."

PTI | Kolkata | June 24, 2017 3:46 am

‘We’re helpless, Indian football is deprived’

Indian Super League might become country's premier tournament from next season but Mohammedan Sporting president Sultan Ahmed said the fans will be deprived if they do not include the century old clubs of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and them.

The Big Three heritage clubs of India are not part of the ISL as they have been adamant on their three-point demand including the waiver of franchise fees and the Trinamool Congress MP sounded helpless.

"By not including century-old clubs Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting, ISL is depriving the Indian fans. We have millions of fans all over India," Ahmed said on the sidelines of their Iftar where they conferred their biggest honour, Shan-e-Mohammedan, to former India International Latifuddin Najam.

"It's difficult to fight against the Ambanis (the organisers of ISL). We are helpless and will protest silently," he said.

Talking about ISL, he said: "It has helped in many areas.

It has given a lot of young players an opportunity to play against or with some of the top foreign players.

"It is a good innovation for Indian football because not only it bring new players in but it also bringing people back to Indian football but it's high time that they involve the top clubs of India.