Lebanon not to reschedule WC qualifiers for India's pro league

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) All India Football Federations' (AIFF) plans to start the inaugural professional league on September 30 has gone haywire after Lebanon refused its request for readjustment of the 2010 World Cup Qualifier first round matches to mutually agreeable dates other than October 8 and 28.

Under the AFC format this year, India were to play Lebanon on October 8 and 28 in home and away legs, but AIFF wanted to shorten the gap between the two matches so that there is minimal disruption in the professional league -- christened I-League.

AFC allows teams to fix other dates by mutual consent and AIFF had sent a request to Lebanon Football Federation to this effect.

''Lebanon has refused our request to reschedule the two matches.

They have replied to our letter,'' AIFF Secretary General Alberto Colaco told UNI today.

Asked whether the pro league could be postponed in view of the Lebanese refusal, Mr Colaco said, ''We will have to fix the pro league schedule according to the World Cup Qualifier dates. We are releasing the fixture soon.'' India will now play their away match on October 8 and the hosts Lebanon on October 28.

Mr Colaco had earlier said that the AIFF has time till August 31 to sort out the date.

Coach Bob Houghton had also said at least 50 professional laegue and 20 SAFF Cup matches will be affected by the World Cup Qualifiers.

''The AFC introduced the preliminary rounds this time (in the World Cup Qualifiers) and this will affect at least 50 pro league matches (in India) and 20 matches for SAFF Cup which has been cancelled,'' he had said.

SAFF Cup was originally scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka and Maldives later this year.

UNI