The All India Football Federation (AIFF) filed its plea on the ongoing crisis surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL) to the Supreme Court on Monday.
According to the Mint, the Supreme Court will continue hearing the pleas on the status of the ISL on Friday.
The much delayed move on the part of the AIFF follows in the wake of the warning issued by 11 ISL clubs that they “face the real possibility of shutting down entirely” if the ongoing impasse regarding the future of the top-tier domestic competition is not resolved soon.
The diktat from the ISL clubs was made a day after the federation proposed staging the Super Cup in September to provide clubs with “competitive fixtures ahead of the delayed ISL season”.
At a meeting held on 14 August, it was agreed that the concerns of the ISL clubs – including the delayed start of the season and the resulting challenges faced by players and other stakeholders – would be formally conveyed to the Supreme Court on Monday, 18 August.
Several clubs have already suspended operations or stopped paying salaries to players and support staff due to the uncertainty.
On Friday, the AIFF confirmed it had received a joint letter from 11 ISL clubs urging that the matter be raised in court.
“Yes, we will be attempting to mention but since judgement is reserved we have to see how the judges take it. If they feel there is merit… they may ask for an application to be filed. The plight of the players, clubs and football need to be brought to their notice,” a club source told PTI.
In its letter written to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, the clubs said that the crisis arising out of the non-renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the national federation and the ISL organisers FSDL has “paralysed professional football in India”.
“Over past 11 years, through sustained investment and coordinated effort, clubs have built youth development systems, training infrastructure, community outreach programmes, and professional teams that have elevated India’s footballing credibility both domestically and internationally,” the clubs wrote in the letter sent on Friday.
“This progress is now in imminent danger of collapse. The current standstill has created immediate and severe consequences. With operations suspended and no certainty on league continuity, several clubs face the real possibility of shutting down entirely.” The crisis surfaced after Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the ISL organisers as well as AIFF’s commercial partner, put the 2025-26 season “on hold” on July 11 due to uncertainty over the renewal of the MRA, prompting at least three clubs to either pause first-team operations or suspend player and staff salaries.
“The 2025-26 ISL season is at risk of not taking place at all. This is not merely an administrative deadlock — it is an existential crisis for Indian football. We write to you in the gravest of circumstances,” the clubs wrote.
“The trust painstakingly built with fans, sponsors, investors, international footballing bodies over the past decade will be irreparably damaged if the league remains in limbo.”
The letter was signed by Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC, Jamshedpur FC, FC Goa, Kerala Blasters FC, Punjab FC, NorthEast United FC, Mumbai City FC and Mohammedan Sporting. Kolkata heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal did not the sign the letter.
Detailing the risk of club closures and livelihood loss, the letter said, “More than 2000 direct livelihoods — players, coaches, medical staff, analysts, kit managers, groundsmen, administrative staff — hang in the balance, alongside countless indirect livelihoods dependent on the league.
“Clubs face a season where revenue from tickets, merchandise and other avenues will be reduced to zero. Potential sponsors have already started backing out, looking at the scenario that the ISL is in.
“This is a huge financial blow that clubs will not recover from this year and it will affect payout of salaries to players and staff in the immediate future, besides making several stakeholders contemplate a complete and permanent shut-down of their respective clubs.” The clubs said the impasse will also impact India’s readiness for international matches, saying “without a functioning league, our national team will be severely disadvantaged in upcoming AFC and FIFA tournaments”.
They also said that without the ISL, they will not be able to play a minimum number of competitive matches for participation in continental competitions, thereby risking suspension of Indian clubs from AFC tournaments.
“The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) mandates a minimum number of competitive matches for participation in continental competitions. Without ISL, this requirement cannot be met, putting India at risk of suspension from all AFC and FIFA tournaments,” the clubs said.
“FIFPRO, the global players’ union, has already apprised FIFA of the situation, increasing the likelihood of external scrutiny and possible sanctions.”
