All posts tagged: Clubs

AIFF leaves Indian striker call to clubs, clears OCI confusion

AIFF leaves Indian striker call to clubs, clears OCI confusion

Published by Webster

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Wednesday it will not force clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL) and Indian Football League (IFL) to keep an Indian striker on the field for the entire match, reversing what it stated after its June 20 Special General Body Meeting. “We are leaving it to the clubs,” said AIFF general secretary M Satyanarayan in a press conference where the AIFF announced an agreement to hand over the ISL’s commercial rights to the 14 clubs that play in the league. “The stronger the league, the better the Indian team. The clubs are also aware that one of our Achilles’ heels has been the lack of a good striker. Hopefully, they will help in that.” “But this is not something we can implement. We cannot tell (the clubs) to play a No. 9 because, ultimately, it is for the coach (to decide). Every match, the coach’s tactics may differ; in some, (the striker) may remain for the entire match, in some they won’t. So it is very difficult …

Why ISL clubs running the league isn’t a conflict of interest?

Why ISL clubs running the league isn’t a conflict of interest?

Published by Webster

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday announced that it had reached an agreement with Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to jointly conduct the league for the upcoming season, with the clubs set to take over its commercial operations under a new governance model. Under the agreement, the clubs will own the league’s commercial rights for the next four years, although they will have the option to review the arrangement after two years. AIFF will receive 10 per cent of the league’s net profits, retain audit rights over the league’s accounts and receive ₹1.1 crore from each participating club. The announcement has also raised a question among many Indian football fans: If the clubs themselves are running the league, doesn’t that create a conflict of interest? The short answer is no. In fact, several of the world’s biggest football leagues are run on similar lines. What did AIFF announce? The AIFF confirmed that it has accepted a club-led model for the ISL’s commercial operations. While the clubs will collectively conduct the league and own …

Beyond the plate: The rise of immersive supper clubs

Beyond the plate: The rise of immersive supper clubs

Published by Webster

A dinner table is no longer just a place to eat. Across cities, supper clubs are reshaping how people experience food, turning meals into theatre and strangers into co-authors of the evening. What once began as intimate, chef-led gatherings has now evolved into community-building platforms that blend food with storytelling, performance, and elements of art and culture. Chef Sherie Mehtaa hosted a Himchali cuisine themed dinner and dressed for the part What is a supper club, exactly? A supper club is a dining format that doubles as a social gathering. Typically, a chef hosts a limited number of guests in non-traditional spaces such as homes, studios, or unique venues. These experiences often feature a set menu, communal seating, and direct interaction with the chef. Although the concept has existed since the late 2010s in India, it has seen a revival of sorts post the Covid-19 pandemic. When food becomes storytelling The Baithak Experience, which caters to Mumbai and Pune, is operated by Mandeep Kaur and her family. “We had a simple question: why should storytelling …

ISL clubs reconsider their participation in the league due to a lack of clarity

ISL clubs reconsider their participation in the league due to a lack of clarity

Published by Webster

A few of the ISL clubs issued a joint statement on Friday, confirming that they could reconsider their participation in the league due to a lack of clarity about its future. Just a day after the conclusion of one of the most exciting Indian Super League seasons, in which East Bengal FC lifted the title, these clubs have decided to stop their first team’s operations. ” With deep concern and disappointment, the clubs of the Indian Super League wish to state that, given the continued uncertainty surrounding professional football in India, we are now compelled to review the extent of our commitment to the league beyond the current season, ” confirmed 9 of the 14 ISL clubs via a social post. After the end of its long-term deal with FSDL, the AIFF has failed to find a new sponsor for the Indian Super League, putting the future of the league in jeopardy. This uncertainty over the league’s future has left clubs doubting their sustainability amid existing financial, managerial and operational commitments. Hence, the clubs have …

AIFF brings clubs into evaluation process for long-term commercial partner, KPMG to scrutinise feasibility of bids | Football News

AIFF brings clubs into evaluation process for long-term commercial partner, KPMG to scrutinise feasibility of bids | Football News

Published by Webster

2 min readUpdated: Mar 29, 2026 08:04 PM IST Clubs will engage directly with the three bidders for Indian club football’s long-term commercial rights, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) decided in its executive committee meeting on Sunday. Additionally, the three bids will be turned over to audit firm KPMG, who the federation said “will prepare comprehensive comparison tables evaluating the feasibility and key aspects of the bids”. FanCode, the media rights holder for the ongoing 2025/26 season of the Indian Super League (ISL), and Genius Sports made bids for the ISL and the Federation Cup. Meanwhile, Capri Sports have bid for the top two flights of women’s club football in India, Indian Women’s League (IWL) and the IWL 2. Genius Sports has offered INR 2,129 crore for a 20-year cycle with a 5% annual increase in value. FanCode submitted a significantly lower bid of INR 1,190 crore for the same 20-year period. Capri Sports was the sole bidder for women’s football with a bid between INR 150 crore to INR 160 crore for a …

₹2,129 crore on the table, but why do ISL clubs still see the Genius sports bid as a problem?

₹2,129 crore on the table, but why do ISL clubs still see the Genius sports bid as a problem?

Published by Webster

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has opened bids for its long-term commercial rights cycle, with Genius Sports emerging as the highest bidder for the Indian Super League (ISL) and Federation Cup at approximately ₹2,129 crore over 20 years. FanCode has submitted a competing bid worth around ₹1,190 crore, built on a different financial approach, while Capri Sports has secured the women’s package with a ₹150 crore commitment for the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and IWL 2. On paper, it marks a dramatic jump from the current cycle. In reality, it has opened up a deeper debate about who actually benefits from the deal. But as expected, the headline figures have not translated into confidence among ISL clubs. A high-value deal with long-term consequences Three bidders have emerged in the process: Genius Sports – highest bid for men’s football (ISL + Federation Cup) FanCode – alternative bid for men’s package Capri Sports – the highest bidder for women’s competitions At first glance, the numbers are staggering. Genius Sports has committed approximately ₹2,129 crore over 20 …

ISL clubs urge AIFF to not take any binding decision on commercial rights during ExCo meeting | Football News

ISL clubs urge AIFF to not take any binding decision on commercial rights during ExCo meeting | Football News

Published by Webster

The Indian Super League clubs on Saturday urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) not to take any “binding decision” on the new long-term commercial rights holder during Sunday’s executive committee meeting, citing a lack of meaningful opportunity to evaluate the bidders. The ISL clubs have been embroiled in a conflict with the AIFF, with recent developments focusing on the commercial rights tender. Two bidders are in contention to acquire the combined commercial rights of the ISL and Federation Cup, with one of them offering more than Rs 2100 crore for a 20-year period after the AIFF opened the bids on Friday, and the national federation is expected to get its new commercial partner by Sunday, when it meets for an executive committee meeting. The clubs, though, said in a joint statement they “cannot be expected to arrive at a considered view” on the competing bidders without being “afforded a more meaningful opportunity” to assess them in substance while also pointing out that they were not part of the drafting process. “As you are aware, …

Cristiano Ronaldo’s investment in Almeria adds him to growing list of footballers investing in clubs | Football News

Cristiano Ronaldo’s investment in Almeria adds him to growing list of footballers investing in clubs | Football News

Published by Webster

4 min readUpdated: Feb 27, 2026 09:04 PM IST Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo recently became the latest player in a growing list of footballers to invest in a club. The Portuguese’s portfolio now includes a 25% stake in Spanish La Liga 2 side Almeria and he joins a growing list of players who are securing their futures by investing into buying percentage stakes at football clubs. For those who are waiting for the highest goalscorer of all time to dip his toes into a managerial position, don’t hold out much hope. When asked about it in February of last year he said, “Me as a manager? I don’t see it… it’s more difficult than being a player… If I can be a club owner, why would I be a manager, sporting director or CEO? That is a dream of mine and I am sure I’ll be a club owner. I hope to have not just one club, but several clubs.” Here are other former and current players who’ve bought a stake in growing football projects. Luka …

Delhi extends excise policy for hotels, clubs, restaurants till 2027

Delhi extends excise policy for hotels, clubs, restaurants till 2027

Published by Parlour News

3 min readNew DelhiFeb 25, 2026 09:58 PM IST With the BJP-led Delhi government yet to finalise a new liquor policy, the Excise department has has issued orders asking hotels, clubs and restaurants (HCRs) to renew their licence under the existing policy for the next financial year 2026-27, officials said Wednesday. The current policy, which has already been extended multiple times, will expire on March 31. It was last extended in July 2025. The Excise department on Wednesday also issued a circular, which read: “The Competent Authority has granted approval for renewal and grant of new Hotel, Club and Restaurant (HCR) and Medicinal and Toilet Preparations (M&TP) licenses for licensing year 2026-2027 on same terms and conditions as that of Excise year 2025-26…” The department has asked all HCR licensees to submit their application for renewal on the e-Abkari portal and pay the renewal fee. “Licensee should ensure that the licensed premises remain in his legal possession during the currency of license as required under section 13 (1) () of the Delhi Excise Act, 2009. …

India U20 women’s football team to play four friendlies against Swedish clubs

India U20 women’s football team to play four friendlies against Swedish clubs

Published by Webster

The Indian U20 women’s footballteam will play four friendly matches against Swedish clubs during their ongoing preparatory camp in Sweden. The Young Tigresses will take on the senior teams of Hammarby IF on February 19, Täby FK on February 22, Enskede IK Dam on February 25, and Karlbergs BK on February 28. Sweden is one of the best women’s football nations and will provide very good exposure for the Indian side ahead of the AFC Women’s U20 Asian Cup in Thailand. India U20 women arrived in Sweden on February 5 and have been training at the Bosön National Sports Centre in Lidingö, near Stockholm. India will face Japan (April 2), Australia (April 5) and Chinese Taipei (April 8) in Group C of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026. India U20 women’s team’s friendly matches in Sweden: February 19: India U20 Women vs Hammarby IF (Hammarby Sports Ground, Stockholm, at 18:30 IST) February 22: India U20 Women vs Täby FK (Bosön National Sports Centre, Lidingö) February 25: India U20 Women vs Enskede IK Dam …