AIFF decides to issue tender only for ISL in its executive committee meeting
The All India Football Federation will float a tender only for the Indian Super League as per the Supreme Court’s directive, it was decided at its emergent executive committee meeting held late on Saturday night. To oversee the entire tender process and rule out any foul play, a three-member oversight committee was formed, comprising Justice L. Nageswara Rao, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, and a representative from the Asian Football Confederation. The AIFF had sold commercial rights of all its tournaments and properties, including the national teams, for a 15-year period to Reliance subsidiary FSDL in 2010 for Rs 50 crore per year. With the deal ending in December, the Court had urged both parties to prepare a joint proposal for the current season to progress. The proposal suggested commencement of the season with the Super Cup followed by a tender process for the marketing rights of the league. The entire process would be concluded by October 15 for the league to begin in December. On September 1, the Court had approved the proposal while appointing retired judge L Nageshwar Rao to oversee the tender process for maintenance of objectivity and transparency, following which the AIFF had called for an emergent meeting on Saturday. “The AIFF shall also issue necessary tenders inviting bids for open, competitive and transparent process for selection of its commercial partner to conduct Indian Super League,” the apex court had said in its order. However, in its agenda for the emergent Ex Co meeting, the AIFF had called for discussions for approval of the terms to float a request for quotation to select a professional services firm to manage the tendering process for “selection of a league operating partner”, without explicitly mentioning the ISL. When asked to clarify for which competition the tender will be put out, Chaubey made it clear at the meeting that it was only for the ISL, as per the Court’s directive. “Yes, the tender would only be for the ISL,” an AIFF official later confirmed toNews9 Sports. “For this purpose, we have requested and upon his agreement, appoint Justice L. Nageswara Rao, former Judge of this Court to ensure that the selection process enures in identifying a competent, reputed and an efficient firm as a commercial partner to conduct ISL, in line with global best practices. Justice L. Nageswara Rao may also appoint one or two professionals to assist him in this regard,” the Court had also said. In accordance with that directive, it was also decided that those seven members who were part of the committee for discussion on master rights agreement with FSDL will also be in the tender committee for selection of a league operating partner. On Friday, the AIFF had made informal queries with ISL clubs on their willingness to play in the Super Cup once the FIFA international window ends on October 14. While some clubs gave their consent, others sought greater clarity on the ISL tender and its initiation. “We need details on rights parameters and the fact that it should be realistically priced to encourage interested parties to bid for it. Also conclusion date of the process. Once we know more details on these points, we can think of participation,” a club CEO told News9 Sports. Taking that feedback into account, the AIFF has decided to formally write to clubs to seek their availability following which the decision on the tournament’s format would be finalised. The tournament “would be held from October 25 to November 22, in a phased manner”, the AIFF said in a statement on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Lionel Messi’s record to begin Portugal’s World Cup 2026 bid
Cristiano Ronaldo began his campaign for a sixth FIFA World Cup finals with flair, scoring twice and setting records as Portugal routed Armenia 5-0 in their qualifiers opener Saturday night. After Joao Felix opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Ronaldo doubled Portugal’s lead in the 21st with his 139th international goal, brushing past his defender to connect with a cross from close range. With his 140th goal, Ronaldo surpassed Lionel Messi on the all-time FIFA World Cup qualifiers scoring list, reaching 38 goals in 48 appearances compared to Messi’s 36 in 72 matches. Ronaldo will be firmly in contention to top the charts when the UEFA Nations League winners go up against Hungary later next week and have four other games left in the qualifiers. Only Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz has scored more goals in WC qualifiers, standing one ahead of Ronaldo with 39 goals in 47 appearances.
