After much delay, the Indian Super League (ISL) season has been suspended for the time being. The organiser Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) sent a letter to the clubs five days ago informing them of the same. Football star Sunil Chhetri took to social media platform X on Wednesday to express his concern over the development.
In a social media post, Chhetri said that the football management structure is “worried, saddened and afraid,” stating that “The current situation that Indian football finds itself in, is very concerning.”
Chhetri played for Bengaluru in the ISL. His team won the ISL Cup two years ago. The footballer wrote on social media, “I am at the end of my career. The time I have is gradually decreasing. “But speaking to players from different clubs, I realise that my selfish problem is not that serious. The state of Indian football is in now is very worrying.”
“Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared”
Chhetri said he was on vacation when he first learnt about the league being put on hold. The 40-year-old footballer started his post with, “When my phone went off a few weeks ago informing us of a delay in pre-season by a fortnight, I must admit it made me smile. And that’s because I was on vacation, hadn’t moved as much as I would have liked to, and hadn’t been eating as clean as I usually do. I had more time than I had bargained to get in shape. That ‘fortnight’ has now changed to ‘indefinitely’ and that smile’s been wiped out. It began with worrying about how I am on borrowed time with what I have left in the tank. But speaking with players from across clubs, I’ve realised that my selfish problem isn’t as important.”
He further wrote, “I’ve received a flurry of texts from players, staff members, physios, masseurs – not just from my club, but from other clubs as well. Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with. I know that the think tank and all those involved in running the sport are working to get the football season up and running, and I’m hopeful that there is a solid fix sooner rather than later.”
Chhetri’s advice: Please stay calm
Chhetri said that he doesn’t have all the answers at the moment. However, he appealed to those associated with football to remain calm. He hopes that they will get through this time together. There was news that the ISL might be postponed. Many clubs have postponed their pre-season preparations. Bengaluru is no exception. They are not playing in the Durand Cup. The preparations for the ISL have not even started yet.
“I may not have all the answers, but my message to all those involved with Indian football – and more importantly the ones whose livelihood depends on it, the players, staff, kitmen, masseurs, medical teams, production crews, operations staff – please stay calm. We’ll ride this storm together. Stick together and look out for each other. Keep training and getting better. Football has to resume soon. It will,” Chhetri advised through his X post.
MRA signed with All India Football Federation expires December 8
It is worth noting that on July 11, FSDL sent a letter to the clubs informing them that the Masters Rights Agreement (MRA) signed with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) would expire on December 8. This means that even if the ISL starts in September, the contract will expire within a third of the time. Discussions about signing a new contract began several months ago, but no solution has been found. In the current situation, with no contracts in place after December, FSDL is unable to plan, organise or commercialise the 2025-26 ISL season.
“In these circumstances, we are not in a position to proceed with the 2025-26 season. Therefore, the decision has been made to postpone this competition until a clear explanation is available regarding the new agreement,” FSDL wrote in the letter. FSDL said that this decision has been taken after much thought. To maintain transparency with the clubs and allow them to plan as per their own, everyone is being informed of the situation through a letter.
15-year agreement between FSDL and AIFF
FSDL signed a 15-year agreement with AIFF in 2010. The federation receives Rs 50 crore every year through this, which is important for running their day-to-day expenses and organizing various leagues. According to the MRA, FSDL pays the AIFF Rs 50 crore annually, and in turn gets the rights to broadcast, manage and commercialise Indian football, which also includes the national team.
However, the federation cannot sign the MRA at this time due to the Supreme Court’s order. This cannot be done until the federation’s constitution is finalized by the Supreme Court.
This was after a Supreme Court directive to AIFF in which the body was asked not to negotiate new terms of the MRA with FSDL, the apex governing body’s commercial partner running the ISL, until a final judgment is delivered in the AIFF draft constitution case.
A new committee may also be formed after the Supreme Court’s order. In that case, they will sign the agreement with FSDL. That is expected to take a long time.