Five Indian Super League clubs Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Kerala Blasters, Hyderabad FC and new entrants Sporting Club East Bengal have failed to meet the requisite AFC and national licensing criteria and must now appeal against the decision or seek exemption from the AIFF to participate in the cash-rich Indian Super League commencing on Friday. 

The five clubs are yet to be handed their licenses by the AIFF that will allow them to take part in the AFC and national competitions this season.

The five clubs who failed to secure their licenses can now appeal to the Club Licensing Appeals Body of AIFF against the decision of the Club Licensing Committee within a given time or can apply for exemption to the Club Licensing Committee.

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Sunando Dhar, the AIFF CEO of Leagues, on Monday said, “These five clubs will have to appeal against the decision or will have to seek exemption from sanctions if they want to take part in the ISL.”

Clubs failing to secure the AFC license will be forbidden from taking part in continental tournaments like AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup even if they qualify from the ISL.

19 clubs have applied for National and AFC club licenses for the season of 2020-21, eight among them being from the I-League.

The clubs are provided their licenses provided they meet the five main criteria’s of sporting, infrastructure, personnel and administrative, legal and financial, as per PTI report.

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ATK Mohun Bagan, FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai FC have successfully secured their AFC and National licenses for the 2020-2021 season, reported PTI.

ATK Mohun Bagan will face Kerala Blasters in the season opener of the ISL on Friday.