The rarity of having joint champions in the Super Division League has once again cropped up a complex situation in the Delhi Soccer Association, with Indian Nationals losing out on the solitary place to Hindustan FC for the Federation Cup qualifiers, starting November 20.

The DSA used the points table at the end of the league as the final yardstick (Indian Nationals were two points behind Hindustan on 18), thereby raising questions on the league’s format besides drawing heavy criticism from Indian Nationals.

“If they decided to pick Hindustan FC (for the Federation Cup) on points, what was the use of making us play the semi-finals and a meaningless final? Then Hindustan should have been the straight champions on the basis of points at the end of the league,” Indian Nationals manager Hansraj said.

The Super League final between Hindustan FC and Indian Nationals was called off under farcical circumstances last February—the goalless final was never resolved through a penalty shootout due to poor light and Indian Nationals didn’t turn up for the prize distribution in protest, forcing DSA to announce both clubs as joint champions. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) , however, allows only one team (the state league champions) from each state apart from the I-League second division teams (Simla Youngs, New Delhi Heroes from Delhi) to participate in Federation Cup qualifying.

“Usually you don’t see a case of joint champions in a state league. The DSA wanted both teams to be included but that might have encouraged similar requests from other associations. This was not a feasible option because we already have 11 teams from the second division I-League who didn’t qualify for the main round in addition to the state league champions. According to the rules, we had given the DSA full discretion on this matter and they chose Hindustan FC,” an AIFF official said.

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