Super Cup 2019: Real Kashmir decides to withdraw

Real Kashmir FC on Monday became the ninth I-League club to pull out of the Super Cup 2019.

The owner of the Kashmir-based I-League club, Shamim Meraj confirmed the development to Goal, "Yes, we are pulling out. We have already informed the AIFF of our decision. We are in this together. We also want a clear roadmap for the future of Indian football."

Initially, seven I-League clubs including Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal had taken the decision to boycott the knock-out competition due to All India Football Federation's (AIFF) unfair treatment towards the clubs.

Just a day before the commencement of the qualifying rounds of the Super Cup in Bhubaneswar, Churchill Brothers joined the group. Real Kashmir is the newest member of the clubs' unison.

With the Snow Leopard's solidarity with its fellow I-League clubs, Indian Arrows are now the only representative of the country's top league. Arrows had defeated Kerala Blasters in the qualifying rounds to book their berth in the round of 16.

Earlier last week when Goal had contacted the Real Kashmir owner, he had hinted a possibility of showing his support to the other clubs. He had said, "It is a developing situation. Yes some clubs have pulled out. We still have time (to take a decision). We are around 16 days away from our first match. We are waiting and watching. But, Real Kashmir was formed to play football."

Real Kashmir were scheduled to play against ATK in the Round-of-16 on April 1. The fixture is set to be a walkover, with ATK set to progress to the next round. Earlier this week, three out of the four Super Cup qualifiers were walkovers after Minerva Punjab, Aizawl and Gokulam Kerala did not turn up for the game.