Panaji: The top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) will go ahead with 13 teams if Diamond Harbour FC fail to clear their second instalment before the final deadline of Wednesday afternoon.The AIFF had set an Aug 14 deadline for all clubs to pay Rs 1.1 crore in two instalments of Rs 55 lakh each. While clubs have now cleared the payment, Diamond Harbour—whose first instalment was adjusted against the Indian Football League (IFL) winners’ prize money due to them — have sought a “further extension of the payment timeline.”According to sources, the ISL governing council met virtually on Tuesday and decided not to add more teams to the league should Diamond Harbour default on the payment.“The club has been provided with a deadline of 2pm on Wednesday,” a source who attended the governing council meeting told TOI. “No team will replace Diamond Harbour. There was initial discussion on floating a tender for a new team, but eventually it was decided to go ahead with 13 teams.”Mohammedan Sporting Club, who finished at the bottom of the ISL table and were consequently relegated, had made a strong case to be retained in the top tier, while IFL runners-up Shillong Lajong FC were also keen on promotion if Diamond Harbour opted out due to financial troubles.Diamond Harbour earned promotion to the top-tier ISL after winning the IFL last season. Since then, however, the Kolkata-based club has been under investigation by the West Bengal government for alleged illegal practices, including the source of funds. The club’s backers have also felt the heat in West Bengal after the TMC lost the state assembly elections in May.
