TOP FLIGHT INDIAN FOOTBALL is currently navigating one of its most uncertain periods as the fallout from the decision of Reliance-led Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the All India Football Federation’s commercial partners, to suspend the Indian Super League, unravels.
Even as Bengaluru FC has stopped salaries to first team players and staff, and Odisha FC has paused all player contracts and released most staff members effective Tuesday, several ISL clubs are reportedly scaling down operations or temporarily shutting down until greater clarity emerges regarding the ISL’s future.
2018-19 ISL champions Bengaluru FC released a statement that they had taken the decision “in view of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League season”.
“Running and sustaining a football club in India has always been an uphill climb, one that we have put everything aside and made, season after season,” Bengaluru FC declared. “However, the lack of clarity on the League’s future leaves us with no choice but to take this step.”
“The future and wellbeing of our players, staff and their families is of utmost importance to us, and we are in touch with them as we wait for a resolution … We urge the AIFF and FSDL to end this impasse swiftly,” Bengaluru FC said in its statement.
Acting on similar lines, Odisha FC in an official communication to contracted personnel, accessed by The Bridge, described the current situation as a “force majeure”, circumstances beyond its control, citing the suspension of the league and the legal impasse at the heart of Indian football.
The club’s letter stated: “As you may be aware, the commencement of the Indian Super League 2025–26 season has been indefinitely suspended due to the inability of FSDL and AIFF to reach an agreement on the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement.”
Meanwhile, the AIFF, following up on its initial invitation to CEOs and key individuals of eight ISL clubs – Hyderabad FC, Kerala Blasters FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC, and FC Goa – has now invited the CEOs of the remaining five ISL sides – Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal, and Mohammedan SC – to a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.
Seen from this perch, little of consequence other than more lengthy and pointless discussions will come of these talks.
Bengaluru FC statement confirming suspension of salaries for players, staff 
