INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS (FIFPro) has weighed in on player remuneration ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season, calling on the country’s top-tier competition to respect players’ contractual entitlements as the Indian football calendar prepares to resume.
The 12th season of the ISL was initially scheduled to kick off in September but was put on hold, along with the second-tier I-League. The delay stemmed from the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) inability to reach an agreement with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) over the renewal of the ISL’s Master Rights Agreement, which expired on 8 December.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently announced 14 February as the start date for the delayed ISL season, although some clubs took time to formally confirm their participation.
Amid the uncertainty, several clubs have signalled that financial adjustments may be unavoidable. Bengaluru FC indicated that players could be required to make sacrifices, while FC Goa confirmed that their squad had agreed to salary reductions to help facilitate the season’s start. This comes in the context of clubs being required to contribute 60 per cent of the Rs 24.26 crore budget earmarked by the AIFF for the ISL.
