The future of India’s top football league is facing confusion again. Ten Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have jointly sent a sharp warning to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), accusing it of a “breach of trust” over the delay in finalizing the tender for a new commercial partner.
According to the Supreme Court’s directions, the tender to decide the league’s commercial and organizational rights was meant to be completed by 15th October this year. With that deadline already passed and no updates or documents released, the clubs seem to have lost their patience.
In a letter addressed to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and the federation’s executive committee, the clubs expressed they were “deeply disappointed” with the lack of progress and communication.
The letter was signed by Chennaiyin FC, Punjab FC, Hyderabad FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters, Odisha FC, Jamshedpur FC, and Mumbai City FC. Significantly, Mohun Bagan Super Giants, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting were not part of the move.
The clubs reminded the AIFF of its joint submission to the Supreme Court in August, where it had promised a fair and open bidding process to select a new commercial partner after the current deal with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) ends in December 2025.
“It is very evident that we are yet to even begin the process, let alone complete it,” the clubs said. “The lack of communication from the AIFF has been deeply disappointing, and the silence surrounding this matter has caused further erosion of confidence among clubs and other stakeholders.”
The Supreme Court had appointed former judge Justice Nageswara Rao to supervise the process, with KPMG India managing the bidding and evaluation. Yet, more than six weeks after the court’s deadline, there has been no official update, leaving clubs frustrated and uncertain.
