The results of the AFC & National Club License applications for the 2018-19 season has been announced. A short brief on the Indian Club Licensing Regulations 2018-19:

• AIFF under the approval of Asian Football Confederation, runs the Indian Club Licensing system for all top division league clubs in India, using the AFC’s online club licensing portal – AFC CLAS
• Under the Indian Club Licensing system, AIFF has the authority to issue AFC License (for AFC Club Competitions i.e. AFC Champions League and AFC Cup) and National License (for National Club Competitions i.e. I-League, Indian Super League and Super Cup)
• To get an AFC and/or National License, clubs need to comply with all Mandatory “A” graded criteria apart from other “B” and “C” graded criteria
• Without an AFC License, a club cannot participate in AFC Club Competitions, despite qualifying for the respective competitions on Sporting Merit. However, without a National License, a club may still be able to participate in National Club Competitions, provided an “EXEMPTION TO PARTICIPATE in National Club Competitions” is received under the regulatory provisions provided in Indian Club Licensing Regulations.

In the 2018-19 season of the Indian Club Licensing system, AIFF saw a record 18 clubs applying for AFC and National License. The list of Clubs who applied for AFC and National License are Aizawl FC, NEROCA FC, Shillong Lajong FC, NorthEast United FC, ATK, Mohun Bagan, Quess East Bengal FC, Jamshedpur FC, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Chennai City FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Kerala Blasters FC, FC Goa, FC Pune City, Mumbai City FC, Delhi Dynamos FC and Minerva Punjab FC.

AIFF’s Club Licensing Committee – First Instance Body (CLC-FIB) met in New Delhi to decide on the club licensing applications made by the above-mentioned 18 clubs and unanimously decided the following:-

Clubs who have been granted both AFC & National License

Minerva Punjab FC, Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC, NorthEast United FC, FC Goa and ATK.

Clubs who have been granted only AFC License

Quess East Bengal FC.

Clubs who have been granted only National License

Shillong Lajong FC.

 

Clubs who have been granted “EXEMPTION TO PARTICIPATE in National Club Competitions” by the CLC-FIB, after imposing hefty sanctions

Aizawl FC, NEROCA FC, Mohun Bagan, Quess East Bengal FC, Jamshedpur FC, Chennai City FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Kerala Blasters FC, FC Pune City, Mumbai City FC and Delhi Dynamos FC.