All eyes on Aerocity as AIFF, ISL clubs and FSDL come face-to-face

FSDL joins table for the first time since talks broke down

Indian Football’s most important meeting in recent memory is set to take place on Thursday in Aerocity, New Delhi. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey will meet with the CEOs of Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, following weeks of growing unrest across the ecosystem.

Eight clubs —Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Kerala Blasters, NorthEast United, Odisha FC, and Punjab FC —have jointly written to the AIFF last month, highlighting the lack of clarity around the 2025–26 season and urging immediate dialogue. Since then, more clubs have joined the discussion.

After the initial outreach, the federation extended an invitation to the remaining five clubs: Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal, and Mohammedan SC. With nearly all top-tier clubs now expected to attend, only Mohun Bagan have not confirmed their availability. Additionally, some of the club officials will also be joining the meeting online.

In a significant development, Khel Now can confirm that FSDL, the AIFF’s commercial and marketing partner, have also been formally invited and is likely to attend. This will mark the first time all ISL clubs, the AIFF, and FSDL have been in the same room since the league’s inception in 2014.

“This meeting could prove to be a watershed moment. It’s the first time since ISL’s formation that all the stakeholder clubs, AIFF, and FSDL are coming together in one room. If any breakthrough is possible, this is it,” a source familiar with the matter told Khel Now.

Also Read: Chennaiyin FC suspend operations with immediate effect amid ISL uncertainty

Suspended operations and mounting tension

The future of ISL hangs in balance as clubs, AIFF, and FSDL convene for a crucial meeting. Credits: ISL Media

Three clubs, Odisha FC, Bengaluru FC and most recently Chennaiyin FC, have already paused first-team operations or delayed salary disbursements due to the prevailing uncertainty.

At the centre of this disruption is the unresolved Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation and Football Sports Development Limited. The Supreme Court is yet to announce its decision on the AIFF’s draft constitution case. Until then, the federation has been restricted from entering into any new negotiations with FSDL.

FSDL have already communicated to clubs that it cannot proceed with the season under the current legal constraints.

Broader implications for Indian Football

The consequences go beyond the ISL. Youth academies have been put on hold, club scouting is suspended, and long-term planning is in disarray. The senior national team is set to play key matches in September and October against Singapore in the Asian Cup qualifiers. Still, most players will arrive underprepared, having played no competitive football in months.

This will also be the first formal meeting between AIFF and FSDL since talks broke down earlier this year. At that time, FSDL proposed a significant shift in ISL’s financial model, moving away from guaranteed payments to a profit-sharing structure, accompanied by the creation of a new holding entity. That proposal remains on the table, but discussions stalled following the constitutional impasse.

A nation holds its breath

Fans, players, and clubs alike are hoping Thursday’s meeting delivers clarity. There is too much at stake – financially, structurally, and emotionally – for the Indian football system to remain in limbo any longer.

AIFF has also called for a media interaction with AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and the representatives of the ISL club following the crucial meeting tomorrow.

🚨 AIFF will hold a media interaction tomorrow in New Delhi at 2:15 PM, following their meeting with ISL clubs. AIFF invite says "interaction with President Kalyan Chaubey and representatives from Indian Super League clubs". #IndianFootball — Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) August 6, 2025

The article has been updated with the information of the press invite.

Why is the AIFF meeting with ISL clubs and FSDL? The meeting aims to address the growing uncertainty around the 2025–26 ISL season, following a joint letter from eight clubs urging immediate intervention. What caused the ISL 2025–26 season disruption? The disruption stems from an unresolved Master Rights Agreement between AIFF and FSDL, which remains frozen due to a pending Supreme Court ruling on AIFF’s draft constitution. Is FSDL attending the meeting? Yes. Khel Now can confirm that FSDL representatives are expected to attend this meeting—the first such gathering of all key stakeholders in ISL history. Which ISL clubs have paused operations or salaries? Odisha FC, Bengaluru FC, and Chennaiyin FC have suspended player contracts or delayed salary payments amid the ongoing crisis. How is the national team being impacted? With no domestic football scheduled before September and October qualifiers, most players may enter crucial AFC Asian Cup matches lacking competitive match fitness. What could result from this meeting? Stakeholders hope for a resolution or roadmap that restores clarity, stabilizes club operations, and ensures the 2025–26 ISL season can eventually proceed.

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