Former champions Chennai City FC barred from I-League
New Delhi, Dec 4: Former champions Chennai City FC were on Saturday barred from participating in the upcoming I-League after failing to comply with AIFF's club licensing regulations.
The decision to bar them was taken by the All India Football Federation's Club Licensing Committee.
"The AIFF Club Licensing Committee has taken strong exception to Chennai City FC (the "Club") for failing to comply with most of the mandatory AIFF Club Licensing Regulations for the forthcoming Hero I-League 2021-22 despite giving additional opportunity after assurances from the Club including a detailed conference call," the federation said in a statement.
Kenkre FC, who finished second in the I-League qualifiers, will replace the former champion. The I-League will kick off in Kolkata from December 26, but the fixtures are yet to be announced.
Besides being banned from participating in the I-League, the AIFF also imposed a FIFA transfer ban on the club, which does not allow them to sign players.
"With the Hero I-League scheduled to kick-off later this month, the committee wasn't in any position to give any more opportunities to the club, and henceforth, has unanimously decided to not grant the exemption sought by the club, after having failed to receive the ICLS Premier 2 Licence of 2021-22 season.
"As a result of not receiving the Licence or the Exemption, the club is thus barred from participating in the Hero I-League 2021-22. The club is also serving a FIFA transfer ban which doesn't allow them to sign players."
In March 2019, Chennai City FC beat Minerva Punjab FC 3 1 to be crowned the 2018 19 I-League champions.
The statement further said, "In accordance with the powers vested, the AIFF League Committee proposed the name of Kenkre FC as a replacement for Chennai City FC in the Hero I-League 2021-22. This decision has been ratified by the AIFF Emergency Committee."
"Kenkre FC, who had finished second in the Hero I-League Qualifiers (in October 2021 in Bengaluru), will be playing in the Hero I-League 2021-22."
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Delhi airport: 100 int'l flights cancelled amid Middle East conflict
New Delhi (PTI): At least 100 international flights have been cancelled at the Delhi airport on Sunday as airlines grapple with operational disruptions due to the Middle East crisis.
A source said 60 international departures and 40 arrivals have been cancelled.
"Due to the evolving political situation in the Middle East, west-bound international flights may experience disruptions or schedule changes," DIAL said in a post on X.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital. It is also the country's largest airport, handling more than 1,300 flight movements daily.
Earlier, the Civil Aviation Ministry said 444 international flights are expected to be cancelled by domestic carriers on Sunday.
