The selected players have been directed to report at Sports of India (SAI), Patiala for the National camp, on or before Oct 26. As the Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from Nov 15-30, the AIFF directive will deprive a majority of the country's top level footballers a chance to represent their respective clubs in the major all-India tournaments scheduled for Nov and Dec, including the Rovers Cup, IFA Shield and the Durand Cup.

Irked by the AIFF move, the Calcutta clubs have served an ultimatum to their players that they would face a `cut' in their remuneration, if they fail to assist the clubs in the domestic engagements scheduled for Nov. More clubs from the other States are soon to follow suit, it was learnt.

``There is no question of relievingthe players at this stage, because we don't want to field depleted sides for the all-India tournaments. If we let the players go, the huge money spent on them will be a waste. In that case, the AIFF should compensate our loss,'' said a leading club official.

``The Asian Football Confederation had announced the dates of the Asia Cup a year back. So, it seems strange that the federation decided to hold the major tournaments in November, knowing well in advance that there would be a clash of dates,'' wondered FC Kochin (KCK) manager Babu Mather. The FCK are yet to release five of their leading players who have been selected for the camp.

The most amusing part of the entire story is that, while the trouble is brewing in domestic soccer, the chief of the AIFF, Priyaranjan Das Munshi, who is supposed to look into the matter, is reportedly `gearing up' to attend a Fifa-organised seminar in Switzerland, scheduled for next week.

The clubs are also unhappy with the way the AIFF has dealt their financial affairslast season. The AIFF had announced that the prize money of last year's NFL which was due to the clubs, would be distributed after the Super Cup match in Delhi on October 11. The federation is yet to keep its promise.

Fed Cup proposals: Meanwhile, the AIFF president had announced that, sponsors or no sponsors, the Federation Cup would be held before the National League. At present, there are two proposals before the federation, regarding the format of the tournament.

The first proposal is an eight-team tournament, without zonal round, at a single venue. The top eight teams of the last edition will be eligible for participation. The tournament, if it follows this format, is likely to be held either in Goa or in Delhi.

The other proposal is to `merge' the second division of the NFL with the Federation Cup.

If the AIFF goes ahead with its plan to hold the Federation Cup, the first division of the NFL, slated for mid-Dec, is sure to be delayed.