I league returns to Mumbai, Kenkre FC to participate this season

by FC Admin December 4, 2021

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.

Banking majorly on homegrown players and Academy products, Mumbai’s Kenkre FC had shown exemplary grit, fighting spirit, and an equally entertaining brand of football to finish as Runners-up in the recently concluded Hero I-League Qualifiers 2021.

Founded in 2000, Kenkre FC has become a stalwarts of Mumbai Football. Ever since the shutdown of Mumbai FC in 2016, Mumbai had been longing for a club in the I league. Kenkre FC’s participation in the I league will bode well for both Mumbai and Maharashtra footballers.

AIFF Statement

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

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 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.

The Hero I-League will kick-off as slated, in Kolkata from December 26, 2021, and the fixtures will be officially announced soon.