The proposal for promoting two clubs to I-League was put forward after three clubs namely Pune FC, Bharat FC and Royal Wahingdoh FC decided to withdraw their participation from India's Premier Football League citing lack of proper road map for the game in the country.
Apart from 2nd Division League clubs, Football Players Association of India was also in favour of promotion of two teams to I-League, which could help in restricting the unemployment of players after I-League was reduced to only 9 teams, the least in eight years of its existence.
All that seems to have no effect on India's Football governing body as they have dismissed the proposal and have stated that only one team will get promoted to I-League 2016/17 season.
Kaushal Das, General Secretary (AIFF stated that. " We can't keep changing rules and then relook at it every year. There has to be relegation."
With this, I-League will continue to have 9 teams next season with chances of a 10th team if AIFF calls for another corporate club for a direct entry.
