Indian football on the edge as top-tier ISL is kept on hold

Mohun Bagan won the ISL Shield and Trophy double last season

Panaji: Indian football plunged into further chaos after Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the body that owns and organises the Indian Super League (ISL), wrote to the All India Football Federation and the clubs that the country’s top-tier league is being kept on hold.Last month, FSDL, a joint venture between Reliance and Star which runs the league, and are commercial partners of AIFF, met club owners and told them that the league will not kick off, unless there is clarity over the 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) that ends on December 8 later this year.Now, those words have been put on record, setting the proverbial cat among the pigeons.“We regret to inform you that we are currently not in a position to proceed with the 2025–26 ISL season,” FSDL said in the letter to all clubs on Thursday. “We are placing it on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond end of current MRA term. We assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly.”The ISL is India’s top-tier football league, handed the status by the AIFF in 2019 and approved by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The I-League, at the top of the pyramid until then, was relegated to the second division.FSDL said it was important for the clubs to be informed of the evolving situation, and in the interest of transparency, “to enable all clubs to plan appropriately for any potential contingencies.”“It is considerate of FSDL to keep the clubs informed,” said NorthEast United CEO Mandar Tamhane. “What they have communicated is not entirely new to us. There is a difference between the league being put on hold and the season being cancelled. At NorthEast United, we are fully focused on preparing to defend our Durand Cup title and remain hopeful that there will be clarity soon.”Until there is clarity – possibly next week when the Supreme Court delivers its final order on the AIFF Constitution – those associated with the league will be on the edge.FSDL said discussions with AIFF on the potential renewal of the MRA were initiated several months ago, but remained inconclusive. “In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025–26 ISL season.”The current agreement guarantees AIFF an annual payment of Rs 50 crore, in exchange for the marketing rights of all properties. Signed in 2010, the agreement is now up for renewal.On March 8, at a meeting in Mumbai, FSDL suggested formation of a new holding company that governs, operates, commercialises and funds ISL, with clubs (60%, equal across all clubs), FSDL (26%) and AIFF (14%) as the shareholders. AIFF, though, insisted on an all-cash deal – Rs 50 crore annually with a five percent increase – in an email on April 21, only for the marketing partners to officially turn it down three days later.In May, the Supreme Court instructed AIFF and FSDL to not enter into any negotiations, till the final verdict is passed on the AIFF constitution.“As of now, the AIFF cannot do much. Until the Supreme Court orders, we cannot enter into any negotiations,” said a senior official.The latest communication from FSDL has put some clubs in a fix.The likes of East Bengal, Bengaluru FC , NorthEast United FC and even FC Goa – due to take part in the AFC Champions League Two Playoff next month -- have all made foreign signings and secured permission from the ministry of external affairs (MEA) to obtain visas.Others like Chennaiyin FC, Odisha, Hyderabad and Jamshedpur chose to adopt a wait-and-wait approach, not just delaying start of pre-season training but also keeping talks with foreign players on hold. Kerala Blasters , meanwhile, have informed their foreign players that they are free to sign elsewhere, with Spanish striker Jesus Jimenez making a move to Polish top-division club Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza.“For me, playing consistently without breaks is important at this stage in my career,” said Jimenez, while highlighting the uncertainty around Indian football right now. “Even though I was under contract, the club understood the situation and was empathetic regarding my move to Europe.”

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