Both the I-League teams from Manipur, Neroca FC, and Trau FC have faced relegation from the I-League this season. Neroca FC have finished with 14 points in 13 matches with one remaining match in the I-League while Trau FC have garnered 13 points from their 22 matches so far with two matches remaining in the competition.

Both these clubs have recently made an official appeal to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) requesting it to retain them in the I-League considering the adverse situation in the state that has been going on for the last 11 months. 

Manipur collapsed completely due to ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities and along with all other activities, football also stopped. 

As its reflection, two Manipur clubs, Trau FC and Neroca FC had to set their home grounds at Kalyani Stadium, West Bengal. 

Along with the clubs, the Manipur government also has made an official request to the AIFF top brass to ponder the critical political situation and not to consider the clubs relegated from the League. 

Even, both the clubs have revealed that they cannot go to Aizawl to play their remaining matches against Aizawl FC as most of the Kuki communities hail from Mizoram. In that case, playing in Mizoram will be risky for both Neroca and Trau. 

“Our government has also stood by us, requesting the AIFF to consider our inability to perform due to this ethnic violence that forced us not to practice properly and play in front of our supporters. Even if we go to play in Aizawl against Aizawl FC then it can be equally risky as most of the Kuki communities hail from Mizoram and we may be in deep trouble,” commented Neroca FC secretary Manimohon Moirangthem. 

The AIFF is reportedly planning to distribute one point each to both these teams if the respective matches cannot be organized in any of the places like Kalyani, Shillong, and Guwahati. 

The AIFF executive committee may also decide about these two clubs’ appeal to retain them in the I-League this season after the competition is over.