With Mahindra out, only one team to be relegated: Sporting

Panjim, June 1

 
Sporting Clube de Goa opined that there was just one slot for relegation from I-League after Mahindra United had disbanded the team and that as such they were not to be relegated this year. Neither there is scope for the third team to be promoted from the Second Division, Victor Fernandes, vice-president stated.
In a letter addressed to Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League, Victor said that he was seeking the clarification on the relegation issue.
“In this season’s 14-team league two teams were to be relegated.  Inter-alia it mandated the retention of  12 of the 14 teams. The retention of the 12 teams is mandatory in order to maintain the strength and balance of the top league, pointed out Victor.
“By virtue of its announcing the withdrawal during the course of the league, Mahindra United automatically filled up one of the two relegation spots, thus leaving only one relegation spot. Mahindra United as such have self relegated themselves,” Victor explained. 
“Past precedence shows that in season 2005-06 when Fransa withdrew their team in the middle of the league they filled up one of the two relegation spots.  For that season Fransa and another team were relegated.”  
 “The idea/plan to introduce a team without going through any qualification procedure is arbitrary and will do great injustice to a team like ours whose rightful place it will be usurping.” 
“The case of promoting a third team from the 2nd Division in place of Mahindra United will  be the same as mentioned earlier, and moreover the rules mandate the promotion of only two teams,” stated Victor.

Source: oheraldo.in

ONGC I-League 2009-10 Round-up of 2nd round matches:

Round 14: Air India & Sporting Play Out Dull Stalemate

Round 15: Late Goal From Hiralal Chettri Denies Sporting First Win Of The Season

Round 16: Lajong & Sporting Share The Spoils In Dull Encounter

Round 17: Sporting Stun Mohun Bagan In Kolkata To Record First Win Of The Campaign

Round 18: Viva Beat Sporting To Register First Ever Win In Goa

Round 19: Sporting Secure Second Victory Of The Season As Junior's Brace Downs Salgaocar

Round 20: Sporting Edge Past JCT In Goa To Record Third Win Of The Campaign

Round 21: Ten-Man Sporting Triumph In Goa Derby Against Churchill

Round 22: Dempo Win A Last Minute Thriller As Beto Scores An Injury Time Winner

Round 23: Sporting Clube de Goa Hold East Bengal In Kolkata

Round 24: Sporting Clube De Goa Shock Mahindra United In Their Battle For Survival Against All Odds

Round 25: Pune FC Thrash Sporting To Take The Goan Side Closer To Relegation

Round 26: Sporting Clube de Goa Down Chirag United But Are Now Officially Relegated From The I-League

Courtesy: Goal.com