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Does Indian soccer need to globalise?

Getting a toehold for soccer in India has been not been easy, given the popularity of other sports. City Football Group, the leading global soccer business, has got involved, but what are the prospects for I-league clubs, now seen as a second tier behind the ISL? Read more here: Indian football's new deal

The article asks: 'Will this be open season for mergers and takeovers? And is this the only way clubs in the I League, now relegated to the second tier in the country behind the ISL and forever struggling for finances, survive?'

'“Either you need strong Indian backers such as the Jindals, Goenka or Tatas or you need CFG and their like,” says an ISL franchise official who did not want to be named because he is not authorised to talk to the media."'

The sub-text here is about far Indian football needs to globalise to succeed, but it has to do so in a way that retains domestic support and roots.

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