Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have pointed out four immediate and severe consequences that have surfaced due to the ongoing uncertainty while formally requesting the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) to approach the Supreme Court immediately.
At a virtual legal counsel meeting on Friday, it was reported that it was agreed that the AIFF would verbally mention to the Court on Monday (18th August), raising the hardships faced by stakeholders of the ecosystem.
The clubs said that the progress they have made over the past 11 years to build youth development systems and training infrastructure is now in ‘imminent danger of collapse’.
Multiple clubs have suspended operations and terminated contracts of players and staff.
The FIFPRO has simultaneously termed the clubs’ recent decision to stop salaries and terminate contracts unfair and also urged FIFA to look into it.
The situation is so grave that the clubs said a risk has emerged where they clubs may be forced to shut down. Its impact on national team readiness, regulatory and international sanctions, and erosion of stakeholders’ confidence will be naturally worse.
“More than two thousand direct livelihoods — players, coaches, medical staff, analysts, kit managers, groundsmen, administrative staff— hang in the balance, alongside countless indirect livelihoods dependent on the league,” they said.
“This is a huge financial blow that clubs will not recover from this year, and it will affect the payout of salaries to players and staff in the immediate future, besides making several stakeholders contemplate a complete and permanent shutdown of their respective clubs.”
At a meeting on 7th August, the AIFF had proposed to stage the Super Cup in September during the time the Supreme Court delivers a verdict on the matter, but the clubs remained unconvinced about it without clarity on the status of the start date of the ISL, which usually takes place in a September-April window.
“Footballers depend almost entirely on regular club training and matches to maintain match fitness and tactical sharpness. Without a functioning league, our national team will be severely disadvantaged in upcoming AFC and FIFA tournaments,” it was pointed out.
The AIFF was reminded that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) mandates a minimum number of competitive matches (24) for participation in continental competitions.
“Without the ISL, this requirement cannot be met, putting India at risk of suspension from all AFC and FIFA tournaments. FIFPRO, the global players’ union, has already apprised FIFA of the situation, increasing the likelihood of external scrutiny and possible sanctions,” the clubs said.
