The Hero I-League 2021-22 season will resume on March 3 in Kolkata after a quick pause to make sure the protection of all of the gamers and officers concerned within the league, the All India Football Federation stated on Tuesday.
On January 3, the I-League was suspended by the AIFF after a contemporary COVID-19 outbreak hit the collaborating groups contained in the bio-bubble right here.
The league might be performed from inside the security of a bio-bubble, which is able to start on February 20, with the gamers and officers needing to journey with three adverse RT-PCR exams earlier than becoming a member of the bubble. Additionally, each gamers may also be required to do a 12 lead ECG earlier than arrival.
Once contained in the bio-bubble, every particular person must serve 7 days in quarantine, with three extra exams being accomplished. On receiving three adverse RT-PCR exams in quarantine, the gamers and officers might be free to function from inside the bubble and attend coaching periods, meals, group conferences, and matches.
Hero @ILeagueOfficial 2021-22 to renew on March 3 🗓
Read 👉🏼 https://t.co/waCU3xq8TX#HeroILeague 🏆 #LeagueForAll 🤝 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/hXlnwjyZQk
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) February 1, 2022
“We had stopped the league initially as we wanted to ensure the safety of the players and officials involved, and did not want COVID-19 to spread,” stated AIFF Leagues CEO Sunando Dhar.
“Now, after getting the clearance from the relevant authorities and a go-ahead from the doctor, we feel that with the positivity rates going down, this is the best time to restart the season,” he added.
“I have been in touch with all the clubs, and they have all expressed their excitement, and are looking forward to the restart,” he concluded.
There might be no change in format for the league, with the 13 groups to play towards one another as soon as in a round-robin format, within the first spherical. Once the primary spherical is over, the groups might be divided into two teams – Group A will encompass the highest seven groups that can struggle for the championship title, whereas Group B will encompass the underside six groups that might be embroiled in a relegation battle. Each membership will play their opponents of their respective teams as soon as in a round-robin format, within the second spherical.
The matches might be performed throughout three venues – Kalyani Municipal Stadium, Naihati Stadium, and the Mohun Bagan Ground.