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International Futsal League
IFL logo
Confederation AIFF
Founded 19 September 2010
First season 2011
Divisions TBA
Number of teams 24
League cup(s) Gangnam Cup
TV partners AIFFtv, FutsalTV, YSN, DSN
Website ifl.dwh
Soccerball current event 2011 season

The International Futsal League is an international professional league for futsal clubs. Contested by 24 clubs, it is managed by the Alliance of Independent Football Federations and is also referred to as the IFL. Seasons run from November to March, only interrupted by the Futsal World Cup in February. Most games are played from Thursday to Sunday, with few games playing during weekday evenings other than Friday. The season ends with the Gangnam Cup competition to determine a league champion. It was to be known as the International Premier Futsal League (IPFL) until the name was shortened on January 2, 2011.

The competition formed on 19 September 2010 following a summit of several AIFF representatives to discuss future tournaments and adding futsal programs to the federation. The inaugural season is set to begin on January 19, 2011 and is expected to culminate with the inaugural Gangnam Cup in May.

History[]

Foundation[]

The Alliance of International Football Federations (AIFF), coming off the success of the inaugural World Cup and Club World Cup, voted to sanction a club league for futsal, initially as a partner to the Devine Premier League. The league was officially established and announced to the public on September 19, 2010, to be named the International Premier Futsal League (IPFL). Founder and first league commissioner Bruce Englehardt II was elected to the position on December 1, 2010. The league was renamed to its current name on January 2, 2010 and a logo was revealed, incorporating a Simlympic-style pictogram for a futsal player.

Inaugural season[]

Main article: 2011 IFL season

The IFL is set to begin its inaugural season on January 19, 2010 after the COFR Cup final with the Dawson Tide hosting the Freeport Reign in the Battle at the Bowl, expected to be attended by over 100,000 spectators at the Dawson Bowl.

Competition format[]

Beginning in the 2011–12 season, IFL season will feature the following season schedule:

  • a preseason running from late September to eraly November;
  • a 12-game, 12-week regular season running from late November to early March; and
  • a 8-team single-elimination playoff beginning in March.

For the inaugural season, a 12-game, 12-week regular season between January and March and a single-elimination playoff in April and early May is being used.

Preseason[]

Regular season[]

Gangnam Cup[]

Main article: Gangnam Cup

All-Star Game[]

Main article: IFL All-Star Game

Calendar[]

Though the IFL only plays in the late fall, winter, and early spring (beginning in 2011–12 season), the extended offseason often is an event in itself, with the draft, free agency signings, and the announcement of schedules. A typical calendar of league events is as follows, with the dates listed being those for the 2011 season:

Trophy[]

Sponsorship[]

Media coverage[]

Main article: FutsalTV

Clubs[]

Arenas[]

Managers[]

Players[]

Top scorers[]

Commissioner[]

The Commissioner of Futsal is the chief executive of the International Futsal League. Under the direction of the commissioner and Alliance of International Futsal Federations, the Office of the Commissioner of Futsal hires and maintains the sport's refereeing crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts. The commissioner is chosen by the AIFF staff. The current commissioner is Bruce Englehardt II, who is also Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports of the COFR and has been in his office since December 2010. The Commissioner is re-elected every six months by the AIFF Administrative Committee, in December and May.

List of Commissioners[]

Order Commissioners Took office Left office Term
1 Bruce Englehardt II 1 December 2010 Incumbent 1

See also[]

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