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New Delhi: Without a title sponsor for two years, the Federation Cup now faces a blackout, too, as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is yet to rope in a broadcaster for the country’s premier football event, which is already underway in Siliguri and Jamshedpur.
“Our marketing and broadcasting partners has let us down,” alleged a source in the AIFF. “We were assured of TV coverage for the Federation Cup, but till now, we understand, nothing has been finalised,” he said.
The participating clubs were told that at least 15 of the 27 matches will be telecasted either live or deferred live. They were also assured that at least 75 matches of the I-League, beginning October 6, would be shown live on a private channel.
The AIFF, it is believed, is now making efforts to at least ensure the coverage of semi-finals and final. However, as per agreement, the marketing partners enjoy the sole right to deal with broadcasting contracts.
The clubs, too, are unhappy and feel the lack of television coverage will send wrong signals to their sponsors. “The sponsors will not invest money on clubs if there is no television coverage,” said an official of a Goa club. “We have a feeling that efforts are being made to undermine the Federation Cup and the I-League,” the official claimed.
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