2021–22 I-League
Season | 2021–22 |
---|---|
Dates | 26 December 2021 – 14 May 2022 |
Champions | Gokulam Kerala 2nd I-League title 2nd Indian title |
Matches played | 114 |
Goals scored | 294 (2.58 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Marcus Joseph (15 goals) |
Best goalkeeper | Bhaskar Roy (109 mins. per goal) |
Highest scoring | Gokulam Kerala 6–2 Kenkre (12 March 2022) |
Longest winning run | Gokulam Kerala (6 games) |
Longest unbeaten run | Gokulam Kerala (16 games) |
Longest winless run | Kenkre (12 games) |
Longest losing run | Kenkre (6 games) |
Total attendance | 38,650 |
Average attendance | 1,074 |
← 2020–21 2022–23 →
All statistics correct as of 14 May 2022. |
The 2021–22 I-League (also known as Hero I-League for sponsorship reasons) was the 15th season of I-League, last as the top tier of Indian football league system, since its establishment in 2007. All the matches were hosted in a bio-secure bubble in West Bengal due to COVID-19 pandemic in India.
After the commencement of the first match-week of the league on 27 December 2021, the tournament got suspended on 29 December due to reports of numerous COVID-19 cases among the players and staff.[1] All India Football Federation released new dates on 1 February 2022, with a revised schedule of the league resuming from 3 March.
The AIFF allowed spectators in the second phase of the league.[2] On final matchday, with only a draw needed, Gokulam Kerala defeated Mohammedan by 2–1 to successfully defend the title, becoming the first team to do so in I-League and first time in 14 years to do so in the Indian football league's history.[3]
Changes from last season
Number of clubs
The total number of clubs participating increased from 11 in the previous season to 13 in this season.
In 2020 the
On 4 December 2021, the AIFF replaced Chennai City by Kenkre.
Promoted clubs
Promoted from the
Through Direct entry
Relegated clubs
Relegated from the 2020–21 I-League
- None[b]
Notes:
- 2021 I-League Qualifiers, replaced them
- ^ Viewing the deprecating financial conditions of the many clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the AIFF decided to withdraw relegation for a season.
Format
Due to the