AIFF promises continuity of ISL despite the uncertainty over MRA renewal
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday said it would take all necessary steps to ensure the continuity of the Indian Super League (ISL), a day after the organizer of the League announced that the 2025–26 season had been placed “on hold” due to unresolved contractual issues. In its first public statement since Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) informed clubs of its decision to suspend planning for the upcoming season, the AIFF urged stakeholders to remain patient while talks over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) continue. “The AIFF and its stakeholders will take all possible steps and do all things within their power to ensure continuity of the ISL in the best interests of Indian football,” the federation said in a brief statement. “We request the understanding of all stakeholders in the interim.” The MRA between FSDL and AIFF — which underpins the structure, operations, and commercial framework of the ISL — is set to expire on December 8, 2025. The league, typically played between September and April, would be underway by then, with teams and broadcasters requiring long-term clarity to plan logistics and commercial activations. Citing this lack of contractual certainty, FSDL earlier this week conveyed to ISL clubs that it was “not in a position to proceed with the 2025–26 ISL season” and would “place it on hold until further clarity emerges.” The situation has triggered concern across the Indian football ecosystem, especially with the ISL being the country’s top-tier league and a crucial platform for clubs, players, and sponsors. During a Supreme Court hearing on April 26, 2025, the AIFF was advised by its legal counsel that the court had made an observation that the MRA should not be renewed until further orders. As a result, the federation said, all discussions on the agreement’s extension have been kept in abeyance pending further directions from the Supreme Court of India.
ISL 2025-26 season formally on hold; FSDL informs clubs and AIFF
Uncertainty already loomed large over the staging of Indian Super League 2025-26. It happened formally on Friday as Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the owner ISL and commercial partner of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) sent an email to the ISL clubs stating that due to uncertainty over the renewal of MRA the ISL is being kept on hold. Following a directive from the Supreme Court of India, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have been asked not to negotiate new terms of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with FSDL until a final judgment is delivered in the AIFF draft constitution case. Seven ISL clubs — FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Odisha FC, Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City, and Hyderabad FC/FC Delhi — have postponed their pre-season preparations and withdrawn from the forthcoming Durand Cup. Their decision stems from concerns over potential financial losses if the ISL 2025–26 season fails to begin on schedule. The MRA, signed in 2010 for a 15-year term, is due to expire on 8th December 2025. The agreement includes a ₹50 crore annual guarantee from FSDL to the AIFF, a critical sum supporting the federation’s daily operations and football development initiatives. The Supreme Court’s directive has stalled any forward movement on renewing or restructuring this agreement until after the court’s summer recess, which ends on 14 July 2025. It is however believed that many clubs wanted to use force majeure to suspend or terminate contracts with the players and staff, which they could not do without official communication from AIFF or FSDL. The FSDL email to the clubs has stated, ‘As you are aware, the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between FSDL and AIFF is scheduled to expire on 8th December 2025 – approximately one-third of the way through a typical ISL season, which runs from September to April. Renewable discussion remains inconclusive at this time. In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025-26 ISL season.” “Given this situation, we regret to inform you that we are currently not in a position to proceed with the 2025-26 ISL season and are placing it on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond the end of the current MRA term,” the email further added.
AIFF accepts the ‘invited’ former Indian coaches’ proposal of appointing an Indian national coach; Decides to issue a show-cause notice to Bhaichung
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) in its executive committee meeting at the Football House, New Delhi, on Wednesday, has accepted the advice of the former Indian coaches on the appointment issue of the new senior national coach. The eminent former Indian coaches like Dronacharya awardee Armando Colaco, and Bimal Ghosh, then Harjinder Singh, Tababi Debi, Shabbir Ali, Climax Lawrence, and Tababi Debi were invited to the meeting as special guests. Along with them, national team director Subrata Paul and Sabir Pasha were also in the meeting. The eminent former coaches’ advice to the executive committee was to prefer an Indian coach, and they also reportedly advised the executive committee to issue an advertisement for the appointment of a new coach as early as possible. It is believed that the AIFF wants to appoint the new senior national coach by the end of this month. The senior national team are scheduled to take part in their remaining two Asian Cup qualifiers in October. However, it is learned that the AIFF had also requested on the day that Manolo Marquez continue with the senior national team, who had already submitted a written resignation. But Marquez reportedly again rejected the request on the day. The AIFF has taken another important decision on the day that the I-League clubs will not be able to field more than three foreign footballers at a time in the forthcoming I-League, although the clubs will be allowed to register five foreign footballers. The executive committee, however, has decided to appeal to the FSDL, the organizer of ISL, not to stick to their previous terms of no-relegation in the ISL. Simultaneously, the AIFF, in the same e-mail, will also request the FSDL to consider the interest of the senior national team and restrict it to three foreign footballers at the same time in a match. Significantly, it is learned that a team of Fifa delegates, possibly under the leadership of legendary Arsene Wenger, now chief of Fifa’s Global Football Development, is likely to visit the Fifa-AIFF elite academy in Bhubaneswar and conduct a seminar on 7th October. AIFF also wants to conduct its Annual General Meeting there on the day. In another major decision, the AIFF is likely to send a show-cause e-mail to former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia for making a statement against the AIFF president at a recent media conference. Bhaichung, now in Sikkim, stated while speaking to Parallel Sports, “I also heard about the news from the media. I feel they have taken such a decision as I raised my voice against the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey’s lackluster administrative activities. It is he whose leadership has taken Indian football to decadence. It cannot be that no one will raise their voice against such mismanagement and administrative failure. At least I will not be silent. He wants to silence the voice by issuing the notice. I will reply once I receive the notice.”
MBSG all set to sign Tekcham Abhishek Singh on a massive transfer fee!
Mohun Bagan Super Giants are all set to complete the blockbuster signing of Tekcham Abhishek Singh from Punjab FC, beating arch-rivals East Bengal and FC Goa to the dynamic full-back’s signature. According to Khel.com the total value of the deal is expected to exceed Rs. 8.1 crore, making it one of the most significant domestic transfers in Indian football. “Mohun Bagan will pay approximately ₹1.8 crore to Punjab FC. Over three years, Tekcham Abhishek Singh will earn an average of ₹2.1 crore per season for the first three seasons. The total deal value of this transfer exceeds ₹8.1 crore, excluding bonuses,” revealed the portal from a source on condition of anonymity. Singh made his India national team debut in March 2024 under Manolo Marquez in a friendly against the Maldives. Tekcham Abhishek Singh made his debut for Punjab FC in the I-League 2022-23. The Manipur-born defender became a mainstay in the club’s backline during their debut ISL season. In the 2024–25 campaign, he clocked 1,958 minutes under his belt in the ISL catching the attention of Indian national team head coach Manolo Marquez and interest from top clubs in the country. Kerala Blasters were the first ISL club to spot Singh’s potential while he was with Punjab’s reserve team. Despite early interest and significant offers, Punjab FC retained him at the time. With just one year left on his contract heading into the 2025 summer window, Punjab FC tried to extend his deal, but negotiations were turned down by Singh and his representatives, paving the way for a transfer. East Bengal made the first official move following the 2024–25 season with a bidding of Rs. 1.3 crore, That was rejected. MBSG offered Rs 1.5 crore as the transfer fee but that was also turned down. FC Goa joined the race but chose not to escalate the bidding. Eventually, both East Bengal and FC Goa pulled out due to the high transfer fee and increasing salary demands.
No ISL in Indian football’s 2025-26 calendar!
The All Indian Football Federation’s (AIFF’s) competitions calendar for 2025-26 has no mention of India’s top flight tournament in the men’s football, the Indian Super League. AIFF COMPETITION CALENDAR 2025-26 Event Start Date End Date Junior Boys Tier 1 and Tier 2 10-07-2025 31-07-2025 Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 10-07-2025 31-07-2025 Durand Cup 15-07-2025 23-08-2025 Super Cup/Federation Cup 01-09-2025 20-09-2025 Sub-Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 10-08-2025 31-08-2025 Senior Women’s Group Stage 01-09-2025 20-09-2025 AIFF Elite Youth League (U14/U16/U18) 01-09-2025 31-05-2026 Senior Women’s Final Round 01-10-2025 15-10-2025 I-League 3 01-10-2025 30-11-2025 I-League 19-10-2025 30-04-2026 Indian Women’s League 25-10-2025 30-04-2026 Santosh Trophy Group Stage 05-12-2025 20-12-2025 Santosh Trophy Final Round 01-01-2026 20-01-2026 Indian Women’s League 2 25-01-2026 30-04-2026 Beach Soccer Championship 01-02-2026 15-02-2026 Futsal Club Championship 01-05-2026 20-05-2026 Swami Vivekananda U-20 Championship 01-04-2026 31-05-2026
FSDL’s intimation to ISL club owners: Uncertainty over ISL this season after Supreme Court stay-order on MRA renewal!
Uncertainty looms large over the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2025-26 season after several clubs were told by organizers of Indian football’s top-tier league that the next edition will not kick off unless there’s clarity on the Master Rights Agreement (MRA). Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), a joint venture between Reliance and Star which runs the league, are commercial partners of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), with whom they signed a 15-year MRA in 2010. According to the agreement, FSDL pays AIFF an annual fee of Rs 50 crore or 20% of the total revenue, whichever is more. According to TOI, the FSDL executives met ISL club owners last week and gave a clear indication that the ISL for 2025-26 is going to be a doubtful starter unless the future of MRA becomes clear! At the same time, it is known about the Supreme Court’s verdict that no final agreement on the MRA can be initiated unless the Supreme Court issues its final judgment on the issue of the transformation in the AIFF constitution and its existing body. As a part of its reflection, the clubs have reportedly started going slow with their operations on the recruitment of new footballers, and involvement in the transfers market. Even, it is learned that the clubs have started redrawing strategies. Considering the AIFF’s tentative calendar for 2025-26, ISL is scheduled to kick off on 14th September. It is also learned that FSDL though willing to continue its association with AIFF, is unlikely to agree to the previous cash deal. Rather their offer is 60 percent to the participating clubs, 26 percent to FSDL, and 14 percent to the AIFF.
Beginning of senior team building should start with potential youth; ISL clubs should take initiative also says Naushad Moosa
Sudeep Pakrashi: In the context of the senior national football team’s disappointing performance in the Asian Cup qualifiers, national Under-23 coach Naushad Moosa believes the rebuilding of a competitive senior national team should begin with identifying potential Indian footballers. “One of the key problems in Indian youth football is that potential footballers are not getting quality match-time after joining ISL teams. For example, Suhail Bhat, wearing MBSG shirts in the ISL last season obtained only 140 minutes of match-time which is far from a requirement. They are the footballers of the next generation who will represent India and if they do not get enough match-time, you cannot expect them to compete in the international tournaments against stronger teams,” said Moosa. Simultaneously, the assistant coach of NorthEast United FC pointed out an important opinion saying, “The country’s premier clubs should also take initiative for the revival of the national team. I cannot say about other ISL teams, but NorthEast United FC always tries to promote young Indian footballers. For example, Macarton Nickson was our reserve-team footballer, but going through his potential in the training he was brought into the senior team for training within six months and he participated in 20 matches in the ISL last season. Then I can talk about Samte. He was also promoted to the senior team after we noticed his performance in the training.” Moosa also had advice for the country’s potential footballers not to jump to the ISL teams even after being offered by the ISL teams. “The young Indian players should be smart. They should not think only about money. Rather they should think about how many matches they will get to lay in the new team.” While commenting on the building of the national team, Moosa pointed out an important issue that the chief national coach should watch I-League matches also before calling up the problems in the senior national camp as most of the Indian footballers take part. “That is why I will be watching the Durand Cup and then the I-League after returning from Tajikistan after playing two preparatory matches. Before the next phase of preparation it will help me to call up probables,” opined Moosa. Moosa will be happy if any guideline is created and followed in future where at least three promising Indian youth footballers have to be fielded in a match.
