All posts tagged: indian super league

Indian Super League to kick off on February 14 as long-running uncertainty ends

Indian Super League to kick off on February 14 as long-running uncertainty ends

Published by Webster

The Indian Super League will officially begin on February 14, bringing clarity to a season that had been clouded by weeks of uncertainty. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya following a high-level meeting involving ISL club representatives, the All India Football Federation, and officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Addressing the media after the discussions, Mandaviya confirmed that a broad consensus had been reached among stakeholders to proceed with the league. He stated that all clubs had agreed in principle to participate in the upcoming season, signalling a significant step forward after prolonged deliberations over the league’s future. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey confirmed that “There will be single-leg home and away matches in a Swiss model with a total of 91 matches, where 14 teams will participate, and the venue will be decided by the clubs later.” “We will form a governing council board that will have the autonomy of making commercial rights decisions, which will also include the tournament fixtures,” He added. Chaubey also confirmed …

‘Shame on us’| Football News

‘Shame on us’| Football News

Published by Parlour News

Indian football is currently in depths of chaos, with the 2025-26 ISL season having not yet begun. In the latest development on Saturday, the AIFF confirmed that dates of the delayed 2025-26 season will be announced next week. Reacting to current situation, NorthEast United co-owner John Abraham called it a ‘shame’. The Bollywood actor shared a video on social media, which showed the joint plea by ISL players, including Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. In the video, the players urged FIFA and FIFPro to intervene and resolve the situation. He wrote, “Shame on us… this is what we have come to.” In the video, which has gone viral on social media since Gurpreet uploaded it, Chhetri said, “Players, staff, owners and the fans deserve clarity, protection and more importantly, a future.” Meanwhile, other players added, “But more importantly, we are here to make a plea. Indian football government is no longer able to fulfil its responsibilities. We are now staring at a permanent paralysis. This is the last-ditch effort to save what we can. …

‘We are now staring at a permanent paralysis’: Indian Super League players, domestic and international, urge FIFA to step in to solve crisis | Football News

‘We are now staring at a permanent paralysis’: Indian Super League players, domestic and international, urge FIFA to step in to solve crisis | Football News

Published by Webster

With the future of the Indian Super League still up in the air, Indian players as well as international stars on Friday urged FIFA to step in and solve the ongoing crisis. In joint statement on Instagram, India and Bengaluru FC keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, FC Goa and Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan and former India skipper and Bengaluru FC’s Sunil Chhetri were among a host of players who urged the top footballing body of the world to intervene in the current Indian football crisis. “It’s January and we should be on your screens as apart of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League,” Gurpreet said. “Instead, here we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud something which we all know,” Jhingan added. “Players, staff, , owners and the fans deserve clarity, protection and more importantly, a future,” Chhetri said. “But more importantly, we are here to make a plea. Indian football government is no longer able to fulfil its responsibilities. We are now staring at a permanent paralysis. This is the …

Rs 1 crore participation fee, promotion and relegation, June to May cycle

Rs 1 crore participation fee, promotion and relegation, June to May cycle

Published by Webster

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) presented a 20-year plan to the Indian Super League clubs on Friday in which it would own and operate the top-division, which would run from a June to May cycle, and share half of the central revenue equally among the participating teams. The governing body’s proposal comes days after it rejected the clubs’ blueprint, where they recommended to own the league. The latest suggestion comes following a meeting of the committee in charge to come up with a solution to kick-start India’s stalled domestic season — comprising AIFF and ISL club officials — on Friday. Mandar Tamhane, the chief executive of John Abraham-owned NorthEast United, said the AIFF’s proposal laid a ‘solid foundation’ for further talks. The clubs and the federation will meet again in New Delhi on Monday, December 29. ALSO READ | ISL clubs seek clarity on league structure from AIFF ahead of key meeting “What they have proposed is something the clubs will now discuss internally. Following that, we will get back to the AIFF to …

Manchester City owners’ exit from Mumbai City made ‘in light of ongoing uncertainty’ around future of ISL | Football News

Manchester City owners’ exit from Mumbai City made ‘in light of ongoing uncertainty’ around future of ISL | Football News

Published by Webster

The City Football Group (CFG), owners of England and European giants Manchester City and multiple other clubs around the world, confirmed via a joint statement with Mumbai City FC that it has parted ways with the latter due to the uncertainty around the future of the Indian Super League (ISL). Mumbai City had earlier informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of the CFG selling its 65 percent shares to the club’s parent company Mumbai City Football India Pvt Ltd, which is co-owned by Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor and chartered accountant Bimal Parekh. “Mumbai City FC can confirm that City Football Group Limited has divested its shareholding in the club. The founding owners will assume full control of the organisation moving forward,” said the statement. “CFG has made this decision following a comprehensive commercial review and in light of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League (ISL). This step reflects CFG’s disciplined and strategic approach – ensuring its focus remains on areas where it can have the greatest long-term impact.” CFG …

ISL clubs seek clarity on league structure from AIFF ahead of key meeting

ISL clubs seek clarity on league structure from AIFF ahead of key meeting

Published by Webster

The Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on Thursday shot off a letter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), seeking clarity from the apex body on its immediate as well as long-term plans for the country’s top domestic competition. The 2025-26 ISL season was put on hold in July due to disagreements over renewing the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the league’s former organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), and the AIFF, with the existing deal expiring in December 2025, creating a contractual impasse that also required Supreme Court intervention. Under the supervision of a Supreme Court-appointed committee, a tender was floated for ISL’s commercial rights but there was no taker for it. “We would find it very helpful if the meeting could begin with a comprehensive briefing on this long-term roadmap. “Following that, it would be useful for the clubs to be taken through the short-term plan, after which all ISL clubs can share their thoughts and feedback in a constructive manner,” the clubs said in the letter. The letter was addressed to the …

Inside the ISL clubs’ proposal to restart season: Owning the league, paying AIFF Rs 10 crore | Football News

Inside the ISL clubs’ proposal to restart season: Owning the league, paying AIFF Rs 10 crore | Football News

Published by Webster

An annual grant of Rs 10 crore to the apex body; the right to operate and manage the top-tier league; holding permanent majority shareholding; and conducting the league within 45 days of a formal handover of rights. The Indian Super League clubs on Friday came up with a formal proposal to restructure the country’s top division, recommending a club-owned model with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) retaining its role as a regulator. The proposal comes at a time when India’s domestic football pyramid has collapsed following the expiry of an agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited, a Reliance Industries subsidiary. When the AIFF floated tenders to find new commercial partners, there were no takers. It is likely that the clubs’ plan will be discussed on Saturday during the AIFF’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday. However, it could face roadblocks after some members of the AIFF’s executive committee expressed reservations. According to PTI, committee member Avijit Paul said the proposal was ‘demeaning’, ‘unacceptable’ and ‘undermined the authority’ of AIFF. Given that the …

Inside the ISL clubs’ proposal to restart season: Owning the league, paying AIFF Rs 10 crore | Football News

All ISL clubs except East Bengal raise alarm over situation approaching ‘commercial impossibility’, AIFF refers letter to ‘relevant authorities’ | Football News

Published by Webster

All Indian Super League (ISL) clubs apart from East Bengal on Thursday wrote to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) urging it to resolve the crisis in the domestic game since the current situation is reaching a point where basic operations will become a “commercial impossibility”.  The federation responded by sayin in a statement that the letter has been forwarded to “relevant authorities”. The communication comes three days before Marketing Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and its commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) for the organisation of the stricken Indian Super League (ISL) ends. A failure to renew the MRA has led to the current season of the ISL and even the second-tier I League to be put on hold, plunging Indian football into chaos. “While majority of the clubs have continued to honour salaries and contractual dues to players and staff in good faith, the current position is not merely challenging it is approaching commercial impossibility and risks rendering ongoing operations untenable,” the clubs said in a letter to AIFF president Kalyan …

Indian Super League to kick off on February 14 as long-running uncertainty ends

Indian football reaches Supreme Court once again; distressed players call for help

Published by Webster

Days after the tender for Indian Super League found no bidders, the Indian footballing ecosystem once again finds itself in the Supreme Court. “Following the deliberations of the bid evaluation committee on Sunday, the chairperson (Justice (Retd) Nageswara Rao) will submit his report to the Supreme Court as a next step in the process,” the All India Football Federation said in a statement. The latest development hasn’t gone down well with footballers plying their trade in the Indian Super League, with calls for a quick resolution growing stronger than ever. “Where we are right now…It isn’t just a delay anymore, its a standstill for the fans, coaches, staff members and for everyone who lives and breathes Indian football,” Indian vice-captain Sandesh Jhingan said in a statement. “We have worked too hard and sacrificed too much to let our season vanish in silence. Because the entire Indian footballing ecosystem from academies to clubs are hanging in uncertainty. “This game belongs to all of us. Let’s protect it together,” the FC Goa defender added. East Bengal’s Souvik …

AIFF to submit report to Supreme Court after failed ISL tender process | Football News

AIFF to submit report to Supreme Court after failed ISL tender process | Football News

Published by Webster

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said in a statement on Sunday said that Justice (retd.) Nageswara Rao, chairperson of its Bid Evaluation Committee, will submit his report to the Supreme Court after the federation didn’t receive a single bid for the troubled Indian Super League’s (ISL) commercial rights. The AIFF had said that it will meet over the course of the weekend to decide on a way forward after its invitation for bids on the tender it floated drew a blank. “The Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) of the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) held a meeting on Sunday, November 9, 2025 to review and discuss the status of the ‘Request for Proposal’ for awarding the right to monetise the commercial rights belonging to the AIFF for a limited period,” the AIFF statement said. “Following the deliberations of the committee, the chairperson of the BEC, Justice (Retd) Nageswara Rao, will submit his report to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India as the next step in the process.” Story continues below this ad The interested parties …