 "AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey. AFP")
As the concerns related to the continuity of the Indian Super League (ISL) remain at large, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has called for an emergency meeting with the legal representatives of the Indian top-flight league to discuss the same.
The football body has urged both the clubs and its legal team to engage in a discussion and come up with a solution.
“The AIFF, on the evening of Friday, 8 August 2025, received a letter from 11 ISL clubs collectively requesting that the Supreme Court be apprised of the current uncertainty surrounding the ISL. On 13 August, the AIFF responded and requested that the legal counsels of the clubs and the federation meet to hold discussions on the matter and decide on further actions,” the statement from AIFF read.
The meeting between the clubs’ legal representatives and AIFF’s legal team will likely take place on August 14.
Why is ISL’s future uncertain?
The Indian Super League’s future is uncertain due to a dispute over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the entity that runs the league. The agreement between AIFF and FSDL is set to expire in December 2025, and negotiations are stalled due to a Supreme Court case.
The complexity lies in the timing. Since the ISL season commences in September and concludes in April, the date of expiration of the agreement threatens to end the season midway, and hence, the future has become uncertain. This unpredictability has forced some clubs to freeze salaries, affecting players and staff.
All eyes on the meeting between the legal representatives
Amid the extended delay and unclear future, eleven ISL clubs voiced their concerns to the AIFF through a letter and urged the body to bring the matter to the notice of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
“We respectfully urge the AIFF, in its capacity as the statutory regulator of football in India and the principal party to the proceedings, to urgently bring the current situation to the attention of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” the letter read.
To which, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey expressed his support for the clubs’ decision to involve the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of India, however, has directed the AIFF’s executive body to refrain from making any major decisions until the court resolves the long-pending AIFF Draft Constitution case.
With the AIFF calling for a joint meeting between the legal representatives of the clubs and its legal team, it remains to be seen whether something substantial comes out of it or not.
Earlier, a meeting between the AIFF, FSDL, and ISL Clubs took place on August 7, where it was decided that the Indian Super League (ISL) will start about 60 days after the Supreme Court gives its verdict, and the Super Cup will begin in six weeks, with its schedule finalised in 7-10 days.
The AIFF is strict about following AFC club licensing rules, and clubs want to cut costs in youth leagues by reducing travel. All clubs agree to let players join the national team when needed. If the legal teams of the clubs agree, there could be representation in the Supreme Court.
Lastly, another meeting in 7-10 days will confirm the Super Cup schedule and discuss ISL plans.