FIFPro urges ISL clubs to 'respect players’ contracts' amid debate over pay cut ahead of 12th season

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) weighed in on player salary in the upcoming season of the Indian Super League, urging the Indian top-flight competition “to respect players’ contractual entitlements” while getting the Indian football season underway.

The 12th season of the ISL was originally scheduled to begin in September but was put on hold, along with the second-tier I-League. This was due to the All India Football Federation’s inability to arrive at an agreement with Football Sports Development Limited over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreeement for the ISL that had expired on 8 December.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had recently announced 14 February as the start date for the delayed 12th ISL season, with some clubs taking their time to confirm their participation.

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However, clubs such as Bengaluru FC have indicated that players will likely have to make “sacrifices” in order to get the season up and running, especially since clubs will have to shell out 60 per cent of the Rs 24.26 crore budget that the AIFF has set aside for the ISL.

“Many have been forced to rely on personal savings, take short-term contracts in state leagues, or seek alternative employment simply to support themselves and their families,” FIFPRO Asia/Oceania said in its official statement.

“Despite these extraordinary challenges, players have continued to demonstrate Incredible professionalism. Alarmingly, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has received recent reports that several clubs are pressuring contracted players into accepting salary reductions,” it added.

‘Such actions undermine essential protections’

According to reports, some clubs are urging their players to take a pay cut of up to 25 per cent, while former league champions FC Goa had recently announced that their players had agreed to the cuts. FIFPro added that while it respects voluntary agreement from players, it had to speak out against clubs coercing their players into accepting pay cuts.

“Such actions undermine essential protections enshrined in the FIFA and AIFF Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), which require clubs to honour their financial commitments and prevent unilateral changes to their employment contracts,” the FIFPRo statement continued.

“While FIFPRO Asia/Oceania and the Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI) respect any agreement voluntarily entered into between players and clubs and encourage good faith negotiations, it underlines that any attempt to coerce players into amending their terms represents abusive practice under the FIFA and AIFF BSTP. Any player subjected to this can rely upon the full support of PFAI and FIFPRO.

“FIFPRO and FIFPRO Asia/Oceania remain committed to working with all parties to restore Integrity, stability, and respect for players’ contracts within Indian football,” it added.

STATEMENT | @FIFPROAsiaOce calls on all Indian Super League (ISL) Clubs to respect players' contractual entitlements. pic.twitter.com/kivdirMDp2

— FIFPRO Asia/Oceania (@FIFPROAsiaOce) January 16, 2026

During the period of uncertainty before Sports Minister Mandaviya’s announcement earlier this month, clubs such as BFC – whose roster includes Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri and star goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – had indefinitely suspended the salary of first-team players and staff.

Many other clubs followed suit, including defending champions Mohun Bagan and former winners Chennaiyin FC as well as FC Goa, who had taken the step a day before Mandaviya's announcement.

Shortly before the ISL announcement, several leading Indian footballers including Chhetri had released a video in which they urged FIFA to intervene and “save Indian football”, which they claimed was facing a “permanent paralysis”.