NEW DELHI: The Indian Super League has been expanded to 10 teams next season from the current eight.

Organisers have confirmed that Bengaluru FC, who twice won India’s national football league (I-League) and are owned by the conglomerate Jindal South West (JSW) Group, will join the ISL and not the I-League next season.

The second team are based in the city of Jamshedpur in the eastern state of Jharkhand and are backed by Tata Steel Ltd, a subsidiary of the Tata Group. The team have not been named yet.

Bengaluru FC ceo Parth Jindal said: “We’re glad that our bid to be part of the ISL has been accepted. A lot of time and thought has gone into our decision of wanting to be part of the Indian Super League.

“The biggest factor has been the interest of the long-term future of Indian football. A longer league is the right road ahead.”

ISL competition has grown in popularity and gained ground on the I-League since it was launched in 2014 with the support of billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries and Rupert Murdoch’s Star India TV,

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