I-league, the Indian Football league, is struggling to survive in the present economic downturn. Spruced squads, pay cuts, perks are few things the Indian football clubs are contemplating to stay afloat in the season. The I-league clubs have been asked by the sponsors to cut unnecessary expenditure. 

But the players are not perturbed because they feel that they would be the last to feel the heat. Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been informed by the sponsors United Breweries that their funds would come down from Rs 65 million to Rs 50 million. The owner of Mumbai FC, Essel Group is planning to spruce up the squad and bring in variable pay according to performance. Pune FC and JCT of Phagwara have decided not to spend on big players.

Mohun Bagan has appealed to UB group to increase the sponsorship considering the good show by the club in the 2008-09 season. Anjan Mitra, Mohun Bagan’s secretary, said the club cannot run on small budget when the I-league is expanding from 12 teams to 14. The club has asked for Rs 70 million because the travel would be more in an expanded league.

East Bengal has been hurt by the exit of Playwin, an online lottery firm. They are still associated with Reebok, though. Mumbai FC has said it could cut the player strength from 34 to 25. Two clubs from Goa, Churchill Brothers and Dempo do not seem to be affected from downturn. Churchill Brothers have announced big pay hikes for the players.