Hyderabad FC’s plan to rebrand as Sporting Club Delhi before the Super Cup has run into trouble. The club, which informed the AIFF about its new name and relocation, is facing resistance from the Delhi Soccer Association.
The DSA has refused approval over a registration fee dispute. Although it issued a no-objection certificate, the DSA clarified on October 7 that the NOC doesn’t allow the use of the word “Delhi.”
The DSA wrote, “It has come to our attention that the club has been rebranded to Sporting Club Delhi. As per our records, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by Delhi Soccer Association permits your team to play matches in Delhi, but does not grant the use of the word ‘Delhi’ in the club’s name, since the team is not formally registered with the Association,”.
As News9 Sports reports, “We would therefore like to confirm whether the name change to Sporting Club Delhi has been made official. Kindly share the relevant documentation or clarification at the earliest.”
Hyderabad FC have not yet replied to the DSA’s mail but maintain that they cannot be stopped from using ‘Delhi’ in their name, as it represents the city they aim to play for. The dispute began over a steep registration fee of ₹40 lakh, which the DSA demanded to approve the club’s relocation request.
“We are not willing to be held to ransom on principle. We have tried different angles of dialogue with them but no direct communication since they demanded that money and gave a shoddy NOC,” an official of the club said.
With Hyderabad FC refusing to pay the hefty fee and the DSA standing firm, the issue has lingered for months. Multiple emails have been exchanged, and the club even asked the AIFF to register them directly, but that request has yet to receive a positive response.
“We are not using DSA’s ground or stadium, neither are we willing to play in the state’s leagues, so I don’t understand what the problem is,” the official said.
On 19th July, the DSA set up a four-member committee, including president Anuj Gupta, which decided the minimum affiliation fees for clubs in its B Division would be ₹20 lakh.
For ISL clubs, the fee was set at ₹40 lakh, up from the ₹8 lakh that the defunct Delhi Dynamos paid in 2014, while I-League clubs were required to pay ₹30 lakh.
“We obviously want them to play from Delhi. But clubs registered with DSA can only use ‘Delhi’ in their name. They should also follow DSA’s rules and regulations as other clubs have paid and registered. The fee is intended to be used towards grassroots programmes,” Gupta told News9 Sports.
“We have also kept the AIFF in the loop. We are not stopping then from playing from Delhi. They are free to play as HFC in the city. But to use ‘Delhi’ in their name, they have to registered with DSA.
“For ISL and I-League clubs, the fee is more as they compete in the topmost top two divisions of the country.”
In its communication with the AIFF, the DSA stated that Hyderabad FC can play only ISL matches in Delhi, similar to Punjab FC, which rents the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium while remaining registered with the Punjab Football Association.
HFC prefer Ambedkar Stadium as their home ground, but its questionable infrastructure may force them to use JLN Stadium, as PFC has for the past two seasons.
The DSA has also sought clarification from the Telangana Football Association regarding the NOC for the club’s relocation from Hyderabad, where they have been based since the 2019-20 season.
Hyderabad FC remain hopeful of keeping ‘Delhi’ in their name. They plan to submit the new entity’s logo and jersey to the AIFF this week.
However, DSA president Anuj Gupta warned that the NOC could be revoked if HFC do not complete their affiliation. The club must be registered with a state association to participate in youth leagues and meet club licensing requirements.
“They are using the world Delhi very smartly. They purposefully wants to use the world Delhi to increase their brand value,” Gupta stated.
“But they aren’t a local club, they are playing in the highest division. We are waiting to hear from the AIFF before consulting our lawyers for the way forward. If needed, we can revoke the NOC.”
“It is a matter between the state association and the club. As a rule, clubs are registered with state associations and not affiliated directly with the AIFF. At the moment HFC is registered under the Telengana FA,” an AIFF official said.
