I-League

Last updated

I-League
AIFF I-League.svg
Organising body AIFF
Founded2007;17 years ago (2007)(as I-League; succeeding the National Football League)
CountryIndia
Confederation AFC
Number of clubs 12
Level on pyramid 2
Promotion to Indian Super League
Relegation to I-League 2
Domestic cup(s) Super Cup [1]
Durand Cup
Current champions Mohammedan (1st title)
Most championships Dempo (3 titles)
Top goalscorer Ranti Martins (214 goals)
TV partners Sony Sports (TV)
SSEN (Digital)
Website i-league.org
Current: 2024–25 I-League

The I-League is the men's second professional football division of the Indian football league system behind the Indian Super League. Administered by the All India Football Federation, it is currently contested by 12 clubs. It operates as a system of promotion and relegation with the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League 2. [2]

Contents

The competition was founded in 2007 as the successor to the National Football League, with the first season starting in November 2007. [3] [4] The league was launched as India's first top-tier professional football league with the aim to increase the player pool for the India national team. [4] I-League operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the I-League 2 and at first only promotion system with the ISL, from the 2022–23 season. [4]

Since the inception of the I-League, a total of ten clubs have been crowned champions. Dempo have won the most titles in league history, being crowned champions three times. Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru and Gokulam Kerala have won the league twice. [5] Salgaocar, Aizawl, Minerva Punjab, Chennai City, Roundglass Punjab and Mohammedan have won it once.

History

Origins

In 1996, the first domestic league was started in India, known as the National Football League, [6] in an effort to introduce professionalism in Indian football. [6] Despite that ambition, that has not been achieved to this date. During the National Football League days, the league suffered from poor infrastructure and unprofessionalism from its clubs. One of the clubs in the league, FC Kochin, went defunct in 2002 after it was revealed that the club had not paid salaries since 2000, after making up 2.5 crores of losses in a season. [7]

After a decade of decline with the National Football League, the All India Football Federation decided it was time for a change. This resulted in the modern day iteration of the top-tier in India. [8]

Formation

After the 2006–07 NFL season, it was announced that it would be rebranded as the I-League for the 2007–08 season. [9] The league's first season consisted of eight teams from the previous NFL campaign and two teams from the 2nd Division to form a 10 team league. [9] Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the title sponsors of the previous NFL, were named as the title sponsors of the I-League before the league kicked off in November 2007. [10] The league also announced a change in their foreign-player restrictions with the new rule being that all the clubs could sign four foreigners – three non-Asian and one which must be Asian. [11] The league also announced that, for the first season, matches will be broadcast on Zee Sports. [12]

The original ten clubs in the I-League's first season were Air India, Churchill Brothers, Dempo, East Bengal, JCT, Mahindra United, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar, Sporting Goa and Viva Kerala.

The early seasons (2007–2012)

The first I-League match took place on 24 November 2007 between Dempo and Salgaocar. The match, which took place at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, ended 3–0 in favour of Dempo with Chidi Edeh scoring the first goal in league history in the third minute. [13] After eighteen rounds it was Dempo who came out as the first champions in the I-League. [14] Viva Kerala and Salgaocar, however, ended up as the first two teams to ever be relegated from the I-League. [15]

The next season the I-League was expanded from 10 to 12 teams. Mumbai, Chirag United, Mohammedan, and Vasco were all promoted from the I-League 2 to make the expansion possible. [16] This however brought up early concerns over how "national" the I-League was. The 2008–09 season would see eleven of the twelve teams come from three different cities. The previous season saw all ten teams come from four different cities. [16] Bhaichung Bhutia, then captain of the India national team, said that it was the federations job to spread the game across the country and that it needed to happen. [16]

Regardless of the early criticism, the I-League went on as scheduled and once the 2008–09 season concluded. it was Churchill Brothers who came out on top. [17] Then, before the 2009–10 season, the league was once again expanded from 12 teams to 14. In order to make this happen Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Pune, and Shillong Lajong were all promoted from the 2nd Division to the I-League. [18] This helped the I-League retain some criticism about how national the league was as now the league would be played in seven different cities/states: Goa, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Punjab, and Shillong. [18]

After the 2009–10 season it was Dempo who came out on top for the second time in I-League history. [14]

Conflict of parties

On 9 December 2010 the All India Football Federation signed a 15-year, 700-crore deal with Reliance Industries and International Management Group of the United States. [19] The deal gave IMG-Reliance exclusive commercial rights to sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, video, franchising, and rights to create a new football league. [19] This deal came about after the AIFF ended their 10-year deal with Zee Sports five years early. [20]

Two months later, on 8 February 2011, it was reported that twelve of the fourteen I-League clubs held a private meeting in Mumbai to discuss the ongoing issues related to the league. [21] It was never revealed what was exactly talked about at this meeting. [21] Then, on 22 February, it was announced that the same twelve I-League clubs that attended the meeting would not be signing the AFC–licensing papers needed to play in the I-League. [22] The reasoning for this was because the I-League clubs were not happy over the fact that IMG-Reliance had so far done nothing to promote the I-League and that they demanded the I-League be made a separate entity from both the AIFF and IMG-Reliance. [22] At this time however there were rumours that IMG-Reliance had been planning on revamping the I-League along the same lines as Major League Soccer of the United States for the 2012–13 season. [22]

On 11 March 2012, following the disbanding of two former I-League clubs – JCT and Mahindra United, it was announced that the I-League clubs would be forming their own organization known as the Indian Professional Football Clubs Association (IPFCA) in order to safeguard their interest and promote football in India. [23] Every club, except for HAL and AIFF–owned Pailan Arrows, joined the newly formed organization. [23] Soon after, it was announced that there would be a meeting held between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA on 20 April 2012. In this meeting, IMG-Reliance would present their plan on how they would grow the I-League but the meeting never occurred for reasons unknown. [24]

Then, on 4 May 2012, the AIFF hosted the last ad hoc meeting – an annual meeting between the AFC and AIFF to assess the growth of Indian football. The AFC president at the time, Zhang Jilong, was also in attendance at this meeting. [25] It was reported that the IPFCA would use this meeting to voice their displeasure at the AIFF and IMG-Reliance but the association never showed up at the meeting. [25]

On 18 June 2012 the IPFCA was officially sanctioned under the Society's Act of 1960. [26]

League improvement

Despite the ongoing war between the AIFF, IMG-Reliance, and the IPFCA, the league did manage to improve its product on the field and awareness did increase during this period. It all started when the India national team participated in the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 for the first time in 27 years. [27] Despite being knocked-out in the group stage after losing all three of their games, India came back home more popular than ever. Subrata Pal, of Pune gained the most popularity after his impressive performances in goal for India during the Asian Cup. [28] At the same time, before the Asian Cup, Sunil Chhetri became the second Indian footballer in the modern footballing era to move abroad when he signed for the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer in 2010. He also became the first exported Indian from the I-League. [29]

The league was then given a major boost from its main derby, the Kolkata derby, between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. On 20 November 2011, 90,000 people watched at the Salt Lake Stadium as Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal 1–0. [30] The league also saw more expansion to others areas with the promotion of United Sikkim from the 2nd Division, [31] however, their reign was short lived as financial troubles saw them relegated the next season. [32]

Meanwhile, while the league continued to grow, so did the players' demand. During this period plenty of Indian players were wanted on trial by foreign clubs, mainly in Europe. After his return from MLS, Sunil Chhetri and international teammate Jeje Lalpekhlua were called for trials at Scottish Premier League side Rangers in 2011. [33] Subrata Pal had trials at RB Leipzig before finally signing for Vestsjælland in 2014. [34] And Gurpreet Singh Sandhu underwent trials at then Premier League side Wigan Athletic and finally signing for Stabæk Fotball, Norway in 2014. [35]

At the same time, as Indian players demand abroad increased, the demand for higher quality foreigners in the I-League also increased. Former A-League player of the year and Costa Rican international Carlos Hernández signed with Prayag United before the 2012–13 season from the Melbourne Victory. [36] Lebanese international Bilal Najjarine also signed with Churchill Brothers in 2012. [37]

Demotion to second tier

On 18 May 2016, IMG–Reliance, along with the AIFF and I-League representatives met during a meeting in Mumbai. At the meeting, it was proposed that starting from the 2017–18 season, the Indian Super League becomes the top-tier football league in India while the I-League gets relegated to the second tier, but the idea was not entertained by the I-League representatives. [38]

In 2017, FIFA and the AFC had appointed a committee to look at the footballing landscape in the country which was in disarray due to two simultaneous leagues running together, and come up with solutions to re-establish a singular league pyramid which would be acceptable for everyone. [39] In the month of June, IMG–Reliance, the AIFF and the I-League representatives, met with the AFC in Kuala Lumpur in order to find a new way forward for Indian football. [40] The AFC were against allowing the ISL as the premier league in India while the clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan wanted a complete merger of ISL and I-League. [40] A couple weeks later, the AIFF proposed that both ISL and I-League run simultaneously on a short–term basis with the I-League champions retaining the spot for the AFC Champions League qualifying stage, while the AFC Cup qualifying stage spot going to the ISL champions. [41] The proposal from the AIFF was officially approved by the AFC on 25 July 2017, with the ISL replacing the domestic cup competition, the Federation Cup. [42]

On 14 October 2019, the AFC held a summit in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by the AFC Secretary General Windsor John, which involved key stakeholders from the AIFF, the FSDL, the ISL and the I-League clubs, and other major stakeholders to propose a new roadmap to facilitate the football league system in India. [43] Based on the roadmap that was prepared by the AFC and the AIFF at the summit and was finally approved by the AFC Executive Committee on 26 October in Da Nang, in 2019–20 season, ISL will attain the country's top-tier league status, allowing the ISL premiers to play AFC Champions League and the I-League champions to play AFC Cup. [44] In addition, starting with the 2022–23 season, I-League will lose the top-tier status, wherein the champion of the I-League will stand a chance to be promoted to the ISL with no participation fee. In its recommendation for 2024–25, it was agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation between the two leagues, and abolition of parallel league system. [45]

Competition format

Since the league began in 2007, the rules have changed over the years. Currently, the league has 12 teams. Each club plays each other twice during the season, once at home and the other time away. At the end of the season, the team with the most points wins the league and gains promotion to the top flight Indian Super League. In the case of a tie then head-to-head record is looked upon. Further, in the case of a tie the goal difference is looked upon the tied teams. [46]

Clubs

A total of 41 clubs have participated so far in the I-League since its inception from 2007, up to the 2024-25 season.

Current clubs

ClubState/UTCityStadiumCapacity
Aizawl Mizoram Aizawl Rajiv Gandhi Stadium 20,000
Churchill Brothers Goa Vasco Tilak Maidan 5,000
Delhi [a] Delhi New Delhi Mahilpur Football Stadium
Dempo Goa Panaji Duler 5,000
Gokulam Kerala Kerala Kozhikode EMS Stadium 50,000
Inter Kashi Uttar Pradesh Varanasi Kalyani Stadium 20,000
Namdhari Punjab Bhaini Sahib Namdhari Stadium 1,000
Rajasthan United Rajasthan Jaipur Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium3,000
Real Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir Srinagar TRC Turf Ground 11,000
Shillong Lajong Meghalaya Shillong SSA Stadium 5,000
Sreenidi Deccan Telangana Hyderabad Deccan Arena 1,500
Sporting Bengaluru Karnataka Bangalore Bangalore Football Stadium 8,400

All-time points table

The following is a list of clubs that have played in the I-League at any time since its formation in 2007 to the current season. Teams playing in the next season are indicated in bold.

I-League
Indian Super League
I-league 2
I-League 3 & State leagues
Defunct clubs
Operational academies

As of 2024

Pos.TeamSPWDLGFGAGDPts1st2nd3rd1st AppLast / Recent appHighest finish
1 Churchill Brothers 143031398381525369155499232 2007–08 2023–24 1st
2 East Bengal 132761267575425282143453043 2007–08 2019–20 2nd
3 Mohun Bagan 132761268565430301129451 [47] 231 2007–08 2019–20 1st
4 Dempo 8188905246337209128322301 2007–08 2014–15 1st
5 Salgaocar 818270466625822929256101 2007–08 2015–16 1st
6 Shillong Lajong 10218616394256353-97246000 2009–10 2023–24 5th
7 Sporting Goa 8178625759241249-8243001 2007–08 2015–16 3rd
9 Aizawl 101816347712342286236100 2015–16 2023–24 1st
8 Pune 614863454021916851234011 2009–10 2014–15 2nd
10 Mumbai 9204537279219281-62231000 2008–09 2016–17 5th
11 Gokulam Kerala 713261304121815560213201 2017–18 2023–24 1st
12 United 61504855472022002199000 2008–09 2013–14 4th
13 Punjab (including Minerva Punjab season records)712752354017014921191200 2016–17 2022–23 1st
14 Mohammedan 612549344217416113181120 2008–09 2023–24 1st
15 Real Kashmir 611343393115012129168001 2018–19 2023–24 3rd
16 Indian Arrows 9178384397143287-144157000 2010–11 2021–22 8th
17 Bengaluru 4784220161317952146210 2013–14 2016–17 1st
18 NEROCA 7132383064155211-56144010 2017–18 2023–24 2nd
19 Air India 6144334566142249-107144000 2007–08 2012–13 8th
20 TRAU 6112362551134178-44133001 2019–20 2023–24 3rd
21 Sreenidi Deccan 3643614141257451122021 2021–22 2023–24 2nd
22 JCT 49229273693100-7114001 2007–08 2010–11 3rd
23 Chennai City 585312133112126-14114100 2016–17 2020–21 1st
24 Mahindra United 366252516976928100000 2007–08 2009–10 4th
25 Viva Kerala 49622235196160-6489000 2007–08 2011–12 9th
26 Rajasthan United 36418182875111-3672000 2021–22 2023–24 6th
27 ONGC 2521219215576-2155000 2010–11 2012–13 9th
28 Sudeva Delhi 3481313224260-1852000 2020–21 2022–23 8th
29 Inter Kashi 12411854741641000 2023–24 2023–24 4th
30 DSK Shivajians 234712153855-1733000 2015–16 2016–17 7th
31 Delhi 124112114440435000 2023–24 2023–24 6th
32 HAL 2527113437108-7132000 2010–11 2011–12 12th
33 Royal Wahingdoh 1208662727030001 2014–15 2014–15 3rd
34 Kenkre 239611223465-3129000 2021–22 2022–23 13th
35 Namdhari 12476112940-1127000 2023–24 2023–24 11th
36 Rangdajied United 12467112938-925000 2013–14 2013–14 11th
37 Bharat 12046101328-1518000 2014–15 2014–15 11th
38 United Sikkim 12629152363-4015000 2012–13 2012–13 14th
39 Vasco 12224161449-3510000 2008–09 2008–09 12th
41 Sporting Bengaluru ---------------

Clubs qualifying for I-League

Direct corporate bid entered clubs to I-League
SeasonClubs
2013–14 Bengaluru
2014–15 Bharat
2015–16 DSK Shivajians
2016–17 Churchill Brothers, Chennai City, Minerva Punjab
2017–18 Gokulam Kerala
2020–21 Sudeva Delhi
2021–22 Sreenidi Deccan
2023–24 Inter Kashi, Namdhari
Promoted clubs from I-League 2 to I-League
SeasonClubs
2008 Mumbai, Mohammedan, United, Vasco
2009 Salgaocar, Viva Kerala, Shillong Lajong, Pune
2010 ONGC, HAL
2011 Shillong Lajong, Sporting Goa
2012 ONGC, United Sikkim
2013 Rangdajied United, Mohammedan
2014 Royal Wahingdoh
2015 Aizawl
2015–16 Dempo
2016–17 NEROCA
2017–18 Real Kashmir
2018–19 TRAU
2020 Mohammedan
2021 Rajasthan United, Mumbai Kenkre
2022–23 Delhi, Shillong Lajong
2023–24 Sporting Bengaluru, Dempo

Clubs promoted/relegated from I-League

Promoted clubs from I-League to Indian Super League
SeasonClubs
2022–23 RoundGlass Punjab
2023–24 Mohammedan
Relegated clubs from I-League to I-League 2
SeasonClubs
2007–08 Viva Kerala, Salgaocar
2008–09 Mohammedan, Vasco
2009–10 Sporting Clube de Goa, Shillong Lajong
2010–11 JCT, ONGC
2011–12 Viva Kerala, HAL
2012–13 Air India, United Sikkim
2013–14 Mohammedan
2014–15 Dempo
2015–16 None [b]
2016–17 Mumbai
2017–18 None [c]
2018–19 Shillong Lajong
2019–20 None [d]
2020–21 None [e]
2021–22 None [f]
2022–23 Mumbai Kenkre, Sudeva Delhi
2023–24 NEROCA, TRAU
  1. ↑ The club is based in Delhi but will play its home games in Punjab due to the unavailability of stadiums.
  2. ↑ Aizawl FC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League due to withdrawal of 3 Goan clubs. [48]
  3. ↑ Churchill Brothers SC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League after the appeal. [49]
  4. ↑ Aizawl FC were relegated, but reinstated to I-League after inclusion of two I-League clubs to Indian Super League
  5. ↑ NEROCA FC were relegated but were reinstated by AIFF after viewing the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in India. [50]
  6. ↑ Mumbai Kenkre FC were relegated but were reinstated after the closure of the Indian Arrows project. [51]

Timeline

I-League

Sponsorship

Since the original National Football League, the Indian league has always been sponsored. When the I-League began in 2007 the last sponsor from the old National Football League, ONGC, were brought in as the sponsors, making the league be known as the ONGC I-League. [52] However, after the 2010–11 season, the deal with ONGC was not renewed and the I-League was left without a sponsorship deal till 2013. [53] On 24 September 2013, it was announced that telecommunications company, Airtel would be the new title sponsor of the I-League, thus making the league known as the Airtel I-League. [54] In December 2014, it was announced that Hero MotoCorp would replace Airtel as the title sponsor for the league and hence the league would be known has Hero I-League. [55] The league is currently without a title sponsor, as Hero decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with Indian football after 2022–23 season. [56]

PeriodTitle sponsorTournament name
2007–11 Flag of India.svg ONGC ONGC I-League
2011–13noneI-League
2013–14 Flag of India.svg Airtel Airtel I-League
2014–2023 Flag of India.svg Hero Hero I-League
2023–presentnoneI-League

Media coverage

PeriodTV telecastOnline streaming
2007–10 Zee Sports
2010–17 Ten Action, Ten Sports DittoTV
2017–19 Star Sports Hotstar, JioTV
2019–22 1Sports Facebook, JioTV
2022–23 Eurosport, DD Sports Discovery plus
2023–24 Eurosport FanCode
2024–present Sony Sports [57] SSEN

Coaches

The role of the head coach in the I-League varies from club to club. Some like to appoint technical or sporting directors as well as manager-style coaches. [58] The All India Football Federation does impose licensing requirements for head coaches in the I-League, the rule being that the head coach must have an AFC Professional Coaching Diploma in order to coach in the I-League. However, some clubs and coaches like Subhash Bhowmick, Subrata Bhattacharya, Sukhwinder Singh and Bimal Ghosh were known for accepting a technical director role in order to bypass the head coaching requirements. [58] This has bought about a lot of controversial news, most recently being when Churchill Brothers won the I-League after the 2012–13 season with Subhash Bhowmick not winning the "Coach of the Year" award, due to being listed as the technical director. [58]

Seeing this, the AIFF technical director, Rob Baan, as well as others, advocated that the federation make it mandatory for both technical directors and head coaches to have an AFC Pro-Diploma. [58] On 14 May 2014 this was officially put into act by the AIFF during their I-League licensing committee meeting. [59]

In terms of coaching performance, after the first seven seasons of the I-League, an Indian head coach has won the I-League four times while a foreign head coach has won it three times. Zoran Đorđević of Serbia was the first foreign head coach to win the I-League. [60] [61] Italian coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese became the first coach to win back-to-back I-League titles in 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.

Armando Colaco was the first Indian coach to win the I-League in the league's opening season and he has the most I-League championships at three. [62] Khogen Singh is the latest Indian coach to win the I-League in 2017–18 season. [63]

Current coaches in the I-League
Nat.NameClubAppointedTime since appointment
Flag of India.svg Malsawmzuala Sailo Aizawl 4 November 20231 year, 53 days
Flag of India.svg Shareef Khan Gokulam Kerala 31 March 2024271 days
Flag of Spain.svg Antonio López Habas Inter Kashi 25 July 2024155 days
Flag of India.svg Samir Naik Dempo 1 July 20177 years, 179 days
Flag of Portugal.svg Carlos Vaz Pinto Sreenidi Deccan 3 August 20222 years, 146 days
Flag of India.svg Pushpender Kundu Rajasthan United 1 July 20222 years, 179 days
Flag of India.svg Bobby Nongbet Shillong Lajong 16 September 20222 years, 102 days
Flag of India.svg Ishfaq Ahmed Real Kashmir 27 October 20222 years, 61 days
Flag of Spain.svg Francesc Bonet Churchill Brothers 27 January 2024335 days
Flag of India.svg Yan Law Delhi 25 June 20231 year, 185 days
Flag of India.svg Harpreet Singh Namdhari 25 November 20231 year, 32 days
Flag of India.svg Chinta Chandrashekar Rao Sporting Bengaluru 1 April 20231 year, 270 days
Former Dempo manager Armando Colaco was the longest serving and most successful manager in the history of the I League. Zico.jpg
Former Dempo manager Armando Colaco was the longest serving and most successful manager in the history of the I League.
Winning head coaches
Head coachWinsWinning year(s)Team
Flag of India.svg Armando Colaco 32007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12 Dempo
Flag of England.svg Ashley Westwood 22013–14, 2015–16 Bengaluru
Flag of Italy.svg Vincenzo Alberto Annese 2020–21, 2021–22 Gokulam Kerala
Flag of Greece.svg Staikos Vergetis 12022–23 RoundGlass Punjab
Flag of Spain.svg Kibu Vicuña 2019–20 Mohun Bagan
Flag of Singapore.svg Akbar Nawas 2018–19 Chennai City
Flag of India.svg Khogen Singh 2017–18 Minerva Punjab
Flag of India.svg Khalid Jamil 2016–17 Aizawl
Flag of India.svg Sanjoy Sen 2014–15 Mohun Bagan
Flag of India.svg Mariano Dias 2012–13 Churchill Brothers
Flag of Morocco.svg Karim Bencherifa 2010–11 Salgaocar
Flag of Serbia.svg Zoran Đorđević 2008–09 Churchill Brothers
Flag of Russia.svg Andrey Chernyshov 2023–24 Mohammedan

Champions

Successful clubs by seasons

SeasonChampionsRunners-upThird placeTeams
2007–08 Dempo (1/3) Churchill Brothers JCT 10
2008–09 Churchill Brothers (1/2) Mohun Bagan Sporting Goa 12
2009–10 Dempo (2/3) Churchill Brothers Pune 14
2010–11 Salgaocar East Bengal Dempo 14
2011–12 Dempo (3/3) East Bengal Churchill Brothers 14
2012–13 Churchill Brothers (2/2) Pune East Bengal 14
2013–14 Bengaluru (1/2) East Bengal Salgaocar 13
2014–15 Mohun Bagan (1/2) Bengaluru Royal Wahingdoh 11
2015–16 Bengaluru (2/2) Mohun Bagan East Bengal 9
2016–17 Aizawl Mohun Bagan East Bengal 10
2017–18 Minerva Punjab NEROCA Mohun Bagan 10
2018–19 Chennai City East Bengal Real Kashmir 11
2019–20 Mohun Bagan (2/2)Not Awarded [a] 11
2020–21 Gokulam Kerala (1/2) Churchill Brothers TRAU 11
2021–22 Gokulam Kerala (2/2) Mohammedan Sreenidi Deccan 13
2022–23 RoundGlass Punjab Sreenidi Deccan Gokulam Kerala 12
2023–24 Mohammedan Sreenidi Deccan Gokulam Kerala 13
Notes
  1. ↑ Matches after 14th March 2020 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohun Bagan were declared the champions having enough point difference between the second-placed club. [b]
  2. Sharma, Amitabha Das (21 April 2020). "No relegation, no individual prize money in I-League 2019-20". Sportstar. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.

Performance by clubs

ClubTitlesRunners-upThird placeWinning seasonsRunners-up seasonsThird place seasons
Dempo 3012007–08, 2009–10, 2011–122010–11
Churchill Brothers 2312008–09, 2012–132007–08, 2009–10,

2020–21

2011–12
Mohun Bagan 2312014–15, 2019–202008–09, 2015–16, 2016–172017–18
Bengaluru 2102013–14, 2015–162014–15
Gokulam Kerala 2022020–21, 2021–222022–23, 2023–24
Mohammedan 1102023–242021–22
Salgaocar 1012010–112013–14
Minerva Punjab 1002017–18
Aizawl 1002016–17
Chennai City 1002018–19
RoundGlass Punjab 1002022–23
East Bengal 0432010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2018–192012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17
Sreenidi Deccan 0212022–23, 2023–242021–22
Pune 0112012–132009–10
NEROCA 0102017–18
JCT 0012007–08
Sporting Goa 0012008–09
Royal Wahingdoh 0012014–15
Real Kashmir 0012018–19
TRAU 0012020–21

Stats and players

Individual game highest attendance records

RankHome teamScoreAway teamAttendanceStadiumDate
1Mohun Bagan1–0East Bengal90,000Salt Lake Stadium20 November 2011
2Mohun Bagan0–1East Bengal80,000Salt Lake Stadium24 November 2013
3Mohun Bagan2–1East Bengal63,756Salt lake Stadium

19 January 2020

4Mohun Bagan1–1East Bengal63,342Salt Lake Stadium26 January 2016
5Mohun Bagan1–0East Bengal57,780Salt Lake Stadium28 March 2015

Seasonal statistics

SeasonTotal goalsMatches playedAverage per game
2007–08 226902.51 [64]
2008–09 3181322.41 [65]
2009–10 4861822.67 [66]
2010–11 4891822.69 [67]
2011–12 5211822.88 [68]
2012–13 5301822.91 [69]
2013–14 4021562.47 [70]
2014–15 2801102.55 [71]
2015–16 186722.58 [72]
2016–17 225902.5 [73]
2017–18 204902.27 [74]
2018–19 3031092.78
2019–20 18769 [a] 2.71
2020–21 216802.7
2021–22 2941142.58
2022–23 3601322.73
2023–24 5031563.22

Player transfer fees

Top transfer fees paid by I-League clubs

RankPlayerFee (min)YearTransfer OutTransfer InReference
1 Flag of Nigeria.svg Uga Okpara ₹7 crore (US$820,000)2009 Flag of Nigeria.svg Enyimba Flag of India.svg East Bengal
2 Flag of Nigeria.svg Odafa Onyeka Okolie ₹3 crore (US$350,000)2011 Flag of India.svg Mohun Bagan Flag of India.svg Churchill Brothers
3 Flag of India.svg Lester Fernandez ₹20 lakh (US$23,000)2012 Flag of India.svg Pune Flag of India.svg Prayag United
4 Flag of India.svg Ronaldo Oliveira ₹10 lakh (US$12,000)2019 Flag of India.svg Salgaocar Flag of India.svg East Bengal

Top transfer fees received by I-League clubs

RankPlayerFee (min)YearTransfer OutTransfer InReference
1 Flag of Uganda.svg Khalid Aucho ₹4 crore (US$470,000)2019 Flag of India.svg Churchill Brothers Flag of Egypt.svg Misr Lel Makkasa [75]
2 Flag of India.svg Sunil Chhetri ₹1.14 crore (US$130,000)2014 Flag of India.svg Bengaluru Flag of India.svg Mumbai City
3 Flag of Spain.svg Pedro Manzi ₹1 crore (US$120,000)2020 Flag of India.svg Chennai City Flag of Japan.svg Albirex Niigata
4 Flag of India.svg Eugeneson Lyngdoh ₹90 lakh (US$110,000)2014 Flag of India.svg Bengaluru Flag of India.svg Pune City

Top scorers

Season after season, players in the I-League compete for the golden boot title, which is awarded at the end of each season to the top scorer throughout the entire season. The most recent winner of the golden boot is Bidyashagar Singh, who won the golden boot at the end of the 2020–21 season after scoring 12 goals. Ranti Martins is both currently the holders of the most golden boot titles with five golden boots. Along with Odafa Onyeka Okolie, the two Nigerians make up the eight golden boots won by Nigerians, the most of any nationality in the league.

I-League Golden Boot winners
SeasonPlayerClubGoalsRef(s)
2007–08 Flag of Nigeria.svg Odafe Onyeka Okolie Churchill Brothers 22 [76]
2008–09 Flag of Nigeria.svg Odafe Onyeka Okolie Churchill Brothers 26 [76]
2009–10 Flag of Nigeria.svg Odafe Onyeka Okolie Churchill Brothers 22 [76]
2010–11 Flag of Nigeria.svg Ranti Martins Dempo 30 [76]
2011–12 Flag of Nigeria.svg Ranti Martins Dempo 32 [77]
2012–13 Flag of Nigeria.svg Ranti Martins Prayag United 27 [78]
2013–14 Flag of India.svg Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru FC 14 [79]
Flag of Scotland.svg Darryl Duffy Salgaocar
Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Cornell Glen Shillong Lajong
2014–15 Flag of Nigeria.svg Ranti Martins East Bengal 17 [71]
2015–16 Flag of Nigeria.svg Ranti Martins East Bengal 12 [72]
2016–17 Flag of Cameroon.svg Aser Pierrick Dipanda Shillong Lajong 11 [73]
2017–18 Flag of Cameroon.svg Aser Pierrick Dipanda Mohun Bagan 13 [74]
2018–19 Flag of Uruguay.svg Pedro Manzi Chennai City FC 21 [80]
Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Willis Plaza Churchill Brothers
2019–20 —Not Awarded [a]
2020–21 Flag of India.svg Bidyashagar Singh TRAU FC 12 [81]
2021–22 Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Marcus Joseph Mohammedan 15
2022–23 Flag of Slovenia.svg Luka Majcen RoundGlass Punjab 16
2023–24 Flag of Spain.svg Álex Sánchez Gokulam Kerala 19
Indian top scorers
SeasonPlayerClubGoalsRef(s)
2007–08 Bhaichung Bhutia Mohun Bagan 9 [82]
2008–09 Sunil Chhetri East Bengal 9 [82]
2009–10 Mohammed Rafi Mahindra United 13 [82]
2010–11 Jeje Lalpekhlua Indian Arrows 13 [82]
2011–12 Chinadorai Sabeeth Pailan Arrows 9 [82]
2012–13 C. K. Vineeth Prayag United 7 [82]
2013–14 Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru 14 [70]
2014–15 Thongkhosiem Haokip Pune 7 [71]
2015–16 Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru 5 [72]
Sushil Kumar Singh Mumbai
2016–17 Sunil Chettri Bengaluru 7 [73]
C. K. Vineeth Bengaluru
2017–18 Abhijit Sarkar Indian Arrows 4 [74]
Subhash Singh NEROCA
2018–19 Jobby Justin East Bengal 9 [83]
2019–20 —Not Awarded [a]
2020–21 Bidyashagar Singh TRAU 12 [81]
2021–22 Thahir Zaman Gokulam Kerala 5
Shubho Paul Sudeva Delhi
2022–23 Seilenthang Lotjem Sudeva Delhi 6
Samuel Kynshi Real Kashmir
2023–24 Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia Aizawl 15
  1. 1 2 3 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the league was suspended after 14 March 2020. Only champions were awarded and remaining prize money in the league was equally divided among the remaining participating clubs and no individual prize money was also not awarded. [b] However, Aser Pierrick Dipanda of Minerva Punjab scored the highest number of goals, having scored 12 goals in 15 matches; whereas, Rochharzela of Aizawl scored 6 goals in 15 matches, highest among Indians. [c]
  3. "Indian I-League Scoring Stats - 2019-20". ESPN . Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.

Awards

The trophy

The I-League has only been awarding a proper trophy to the champion since 2013 when the 2012–13 season champions, Churchill Brothers, won the league. [84] Before 2013 the I-League champions received a basic trophy. [84] The new trophy was designed in Europe and is modeled along the lines of the champion trophies in the top European leagues. [84] Regarding the trophy, the AIFF general secretary, Kushal Das, said: "It is the endeavour of AIFF to practice the best principles of other leagues and accordingly we thought to create a more contemporary look to the I-League trophy in line with trophies given in European leagues". [84]

Season awards

End of the season I-League awards were previously conducted by the Football Players' Association of India and All India Football Federation since 2008–09 season. Currently the awards include the Hero of the league, the golden boot, the golden glove, the best head coach (Syed Abdul Rahim Award), the best defender (Jarnail Singh Award), the best midfielder and the emerging player of the league, all of which are sponsored by Hero.

Hero of the League

SeasonPlayerTeam
2016–17 Flag of India.svg Sunil Chhetri Bengaluru
2018–19 Flag of Spain.svg Pedro Manzi Chennai City
2020–21 Flag of India.svg Bidyashagar Singh TRAU
2021–22 Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Marcus Joseph Mohammedan

Syed Abdul Rahim Award

SeasonHead coachTeam
2008–09 [85] Flag of England.svg Dave Booth Mumbai
2009–10 [86] Flag of India.svg Armando Colaco Dempo
2010–11 [87] Flag of Morocco.svg Karim Bencherifa Salgaocar
2011–12 [88] Flag of England.svg Trevor Morgan East Bengal
2012–13 [89] Flag of India.svg Derrick Pereira Pune
2013–14 [90] Flag of England.svg Ashley Westwood Bengaluru
2014–15 Flag of India.svg Sanjoy Sen Mohun Bagan
2015–16 Flag of England.svg Ashley Westwood Bengaluru
2016–17 Flag of India.svg Khalid Jamil Aizawl
2017–18 [91] Flag of India.svg Gift Raikhan NEROCA
2018–19 [92] Flag of Singapore.svg Akbar Nawas Chennai City
2020–21 [81] Flag of India.svg L. Nandakumar Singh TRAU
2021–22 Flag of Italy.svg Vincenzo Alberto Annese Gokulam Kerala

Emerging player of the season

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2008–09 [85] Flag of India.svg Baljit Sahni Forward JCT
2009–10 [86] Flag of India.svg Joaquim Abranches Forward Dempo
2010–11 [87] Flag of India.svg Jeje Lalpekhlua Forward Pailan Arrows
2011–12 [88] Flag of India.svg Manandeep Singh Forward Pailan Arrows
2012–13 [89] Flag of India.svg Alwyn George Midfielder Pailan Arrows
2013–14 [90] Flag of India.svg Alwyn George Midfielder Dempo
2015–16 Flag of India.svg Udanta Singh Winger Bengaluru
2016–17 Flag of India.svg Jerry Lalrinzuala Left Back DSK Shivajians
2017–18 [91] Flag of India.svg Samuel Lalmuanpuia Midfielder Shillong Lajong
2018–19 [93] Flag of India.svg Phrangi Buam Midfielder Shillong Lajong
2020–21 [81] Flag of India.svg Emil Benny Forward Gokulam Kerala
2021–22 Flag of India.svg Jiteshwor Singh Midfielder NEROCA

Foreign player of the year

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2008–09 [85] Flag of Nigeria.svg Odafe Onyeka Okolie Forward Churchill Brothers
2009–10 [86] Flag of Nigeria.svg Odafe Onyeka Okolie Forward Churchill Brothers
2010–11 [87] Flag of Brazil.svg Beto Midfielder Dempo
2011–12 [94] Flag of Nigeria.svg Ranti Martins Forward Dempo
2012–13 [89] Flag of Nigeria.svg Ranti Martins Forward Prayag United
2013–14 [90] Flag of Scotland.svg Darryl Duffy Forward Salgaocar

Indian Player of the Season

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2008–09 [85] Flag of India.svg Sunil Chhetri Forward East Bengal
2009–10 [86] Flag of India.svg Mohammed Rafi Forward Mahindra United
2010–11 [87] Flag of India.svg Mehtab Hossain Midfielder East Bengal
2011–12 [88] Flag of India.svg Syed Nabi Defender Mohun Bagan
2012–13 [89] Flag of India.svg Lenny Rodrigues Midfielder Churchill Brothers
2013–14 [90] Flag of India.svg Balwant Singh Forward Churchill Brothers

Fans' player of the year

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2008–09 [95] Flag of Nigeria.svg Odafe Onyeka Okolie Forward Churchill Brothers
2009–10 [86] Flag of India.svg Subrata Pal Goalkeeper Pune
2010–11 [87] Flag of India.svg Mehtab Hossain Midfielder East Bengal
2011–12 [88] Flag of India.svg Francis Fernandes Midfielder Salgaocar
2012–13 [89] Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg Zohib Islam Amiri Defender Mumbai
2013–14 [90] Flag of India.svg Boithang Haokip Midfielder Shillong Lajong

I-League clubs in Asia

Traditionally, I-League clubs have done particularly well in the AFC Cup. In 2008 Dempo managed to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup before being defeated by Al-Safa of Lebanon. [96] East Bengal also managed to reach the semi-finals in 2013 before being knocked-out by Al-Kuwait. [97] Bengaluru is the only I-League club to reach the AFC Cup Final in 2016 but lost to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya of Iraq. [98]

However, in the AFC Champions League, no I-League club has ever managed to make it past the qualifiers. [99]

Season AFC Cup Position AFC Champions League Position
2008–09 Mohun Bagan Group stage Dempo Play-off Round
Dempo Semi-finals
2009–10 East Bengal Group stage Churchill Brothers Play-off Round
Churchill Brothers Round of 16
2010–11 East Bengal Group stage Dempo Play-off Round
Dempo Round of 16
2011–12 East Bengal Group stage Salgaocar DNP
Salgaocar Group stage
2012–13 East Bengal Semi-finals Churchill Brothers DNP
Churchill Brothers Group stage
2013–14 Churchill Brothers Round of 16 Pune Qualifying Round 1
Pune Group stage
2014–15 Bengaluru Round of 16 Bengaluru Preliminary Round 1
East Bengal Group stage
2015–16 Mohun Bagan Round of 16 Mohun Bagan Preliminary Round 2
Bengaluru Runners-up
2016–17 Bengaluru Inter-zone finals Bengaluru Preliminary Round 2
Mohun Bagan Group stage
2017–18 Aizawl Group Stage Aizawl Play-off Round
Bengaluru Inter-zone semi-finals
2019 Minerva Punjab Group stage Minerva Punjab Preliminary Round 2
2018–19 Chennai City Cancelled Chennai City Preliminary Round 1
2019–20 Mohun Bagan Inter-zone semi-finals
2020–21 Gokulam Kerala Group stage

See also

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