Indian Women's League (IWL) clubs have voiced their concerns regarding the newly proposed mandatory minimum wage for football players and have written to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), urging them not to implement it.

During its fourth executive committee meeting on April 14, the AIFF introduced a salary cap for women players in the IWL. Teams were required to pay Rs 3.2 lakh to each of their 10 home-grown players as part of efforts to enhance women's football in the country.

However, the clubs, in a letter addressed to AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakran, have highlighted the lack of quality women footballers deserving of the minimum wage of Rs 3.2 lakh. Given the limited revenue sources, IWL clubs are apprehensive about investing "significant funds in underperforming players."

The letter, endorsed by eight IWL clubs participating in the 2023-24 edition, emphasizes the scarcity of high-quality Indian women players who would warrant a salary of Rs 3.2 lakh. Although the clubs appreciate AIFF's efforts to promote women's football, they believe that the time hasn't yet come for this rule due to the current shortage of talented players.

The 2022-23 IWL season featured 16 teams divided into two groups, but the upcoming 2023-24 season will include only eight teams, competing in a home-and-away format instead of the previous round-robin and knockout structure. An AIFF official revealed that the clubs have requested the removal of the salary cap to reduce their financial burden. The matter has been referred to AIFF's executive committee for a decision at a later date.

Some IWL club representatives expressed their concerns, stating that the proposal is reasonable but must align with the practical realities of the sport. They noted that the AIFF should have consulted with the clubs before making such an announcement.

Additionally, the AIFF approved the entry of two new corporate teams, Inter Kashi and Namdhari FC, into the I-League, increasing the total number of teams by one for the 2023-24 season. Despite the increase in matches to 156, the AIFF retained the home-and-away format.

The AIFF also eliminated the Asian quota for foreign players, reducing the number of overseas players in the squad to five, with three allowed in the playing XI. This move drew criticism from I-League sides, who requested consistency with the Indian Super League's foreign player quota.

The AIFF declined the request for an increased player registration limit of 35, maintaining it at the existing 30. However, no discussions took place regarding the letter sent by 11 I-League clubs to the AIFF, demanding free broadcast of matches. In the third division (I-League II), state football associations wanting to send more than one team are required to pay Rs 50,000 per match for five games (Rs 2.5 lakh).

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