Indian footballers demand ISL revival; ‘Our frustration and anger has turned into desperation’

Indian Football legend Sunil Chhetri

Several national team footballers like Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu shared a text statement expressing the gravity of the situation

India's distressed football players issued a joint statement on Tuesday (November 11, 2025) pleading with the administrators to get the currently paused Indian Super League season underway, saying that their "anger and frustration" has turned into desperation now.

1. 2025–26 Season on Hold

   • The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the ISL organiser, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), are in a dispute. Because the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between them is set to expire (in December 2025), there's no clear contract for after that.

   • FSDL has said it cannot “effectively plan, organise, or commercialise” the upcoming season without that clarity.

   • The AIFF has stated that the issue is under legal review and is waiting on a Supreme Court decision.

2. Risk to Clubs and Players

   • 11 ISL clubs have warned that, unless this is resolved, they might shut down.

   • According to their letter, operations are “suspended” and there’s “no certainty on league continuity.”

   • Players’ livelihoods are at risk: FIFPRO (the global players’ union) has raised concerns about the impact on players — including delayed salaries, uncertainty of contracts, and possible career disruptions.

3. Financial & Commercial Issues

   • The ISL’s commercial partner, FSDL (backed by Reliance / JioStar), wants to restructure how the league is run. One proposal: a new holding company with club ownership.

   • Despite the crisis, FSDL reportedly made a profit in FY 24-25 (₹45.2 crore).

   • But on the flip side, AIFF recently failed to find a new commercial partner for the ISL after issuing a tender — raising fears about where funding will come from.

4. Governance & Trust Issues

   • Several ISL clubs accuse AIFF of “breach of trust” over delays and lack of clarity.

   • There are legal proceedings ongoing: the row between AIFF and FSDL is now before the Supreme Court.

   • AIFF has acknowledged the problem, but also said it must “abide by the law of the land.”

5. Broader Impact on Indian Football

   • The suspension threatens not just the ISL, but also affects the national team: without a functioning top league, players might not get enough competitive matches, which could hurt India’s standings in AFC / FIFA tournaments.

   • The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is reportedly concerned about the “disruption to clubs’ operations” and what it means for continental competitions.

   • Because ISL is such a big part of India’s football ecosystem (clubs, youth development, finances), its instability could ripple across grassroots and professional levels.

Why This Is a Big Deal

• Existential Threat: For many clubs, ISL is their main revenue engine. If the league doesn’t run, some clubs may not survive.

• Player Welfare: Uncertainty about salaries and contracts threatens players’ careers.

• Commercial Confidence: Sponsors, broadcasters, and investors may pull back if the league’s future is not secure.

• Governance Questions: The dispute raises questions about how Indian football is managed and who has control.

What Could Happen Next

• The Supreme Court’s decision might be decisive: if they rule in favor of a certain structure, it could resolve (or worsen) the impasse.

• A new business model: If FSDL’s proposal goes through (clubs owning majority, etc.), ISL could change fundamentally.

• Financial restructuring: AIFF might need to find new commercial partners or a funding model.

• Short-term pain, long-term gain: If resolved well, this crisis could lead to a more equitable and stable league; if not, it could damage Indian club football deeply.