"The AIFF wants to give one slot to ISL to play in the AFC Cup. As per the meeting in Mumbai, I-League is the only official league so there's no need to change the existing system," Mohun Bagan general secretary Mitra said.
As of now, the I-League winners automatically play the AFC Champions League play-off while the runners-up play the AFC Cup in two berths which has been guaranteed for a few seasons.
"We have written to the AFC secretary and the AIFF president to maintain the status-quo. The I-League would remain the official league and, therefore, we want I-League clubs to get to play the AFC Champions League qualifiers and AFC Cup."
As the AIFF's merger plan has failed to see the light of the day, the I-League will remain official going side by side with the ISL which will be played on weekends across seven months in the new proposal.
But it seemed a door way is still kept open for the two teams to come under one umbrella.
The Football Sports Development Limited, organisers of the ISL, has invited bids from 10 cities including that of Kolkata.