Chennai: 12th July 2016 @ Taj Coromandel Hotel,

Premier Futsal has responded strongly to speculation questioning its legal existence with an official statement.

“Premier Futsal does not need the sanction or authorisation of the AIFF, and does not intend to poach players etc. — there are anyway no registered futsallers there,” the statement from the tournament authorities said.

The All India Football Federation has not authorised Premier Futsal, and had earlier said that the event, scheduled to begin on July 15, would create unnecessary issues. It had also expressed “serious doubts” over the survival of the tournament.

The AIFF had further asked its State units to advise its players to not get associated with Premier Futsal, with its general secretary Kushal Das saying that no domestic footballer would take part in the unsanctioned league.

The Premier Futsal statement further said the league was legal.

“Conducting a semi-professional league is fully permissible legally in our democracy and has been validated by legal experts at our end. We have just completed ‘Launchpad’ — our talent hunt programme to scout for young Indian futsal players who could play alongside top international futsallers and football legends in the inaugural edition of Premier Futsal starting on July 15.

“Top international futsallers and footballers have legally committed to the league in all transparency, owing to the potential of Premier Futsal and its vision.”