Eleven Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have warned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) 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.
In a letter written to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, the clubs have stated, ‘The crisis arising out of the non-renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the national federation and the ISL organizers has paralyzed professional football in India.’
“Over the past 11 years, through sustained investment and coordinated effort, clubs have built youth development systems, training infrastructure, community outreach programs, and professional teams that have elevated India’s football 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 organizers as well as AIFF’s commercial partner, put the 2025-26 season “on hold” on 11th July 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, and international football bodies over the past decade will be irreparably damaged if the league remains in limbo.”
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 signed the letter. Kolkata heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal did not sign the letter.
