AIFF likely to shoulder some cost to help clubs kickstart ISL

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is reportedly ready to bear some cost to make it easy for the clubs to host the delayed 2025-26 season of the Indian Super League (ISL). After months of chaos, the AIFF announced on Saturday that the dates for the new ISL season will be announced "next week."

The announcement came after the AIFF Emergency Committee accepted the recommendations of the AIFF-ISL Co-ordination Committee, which was established to figure out steps to start the ISL. The Co-ordination Committee has suggested that AIFF should run the ISL, having already failed to find a commercial partner.

AIFF steps in to support clubs, opening door for delayed ISL season

The Committee has recommended starting the ISL from 15 February and 15 January would be the deadline for clubs to agree to a 20-year agreement. It also suggested to “relegate those clubs who refuse to participate to the immediate lower division,” a report in The Times of India claimed.

The ISL clubs will have time till June to pay the participation fee of Rs 1 crore and a new request for proposal (RFP) will be floated to find a new commercial partner after “making it more attractive" with inputs from clubs.

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“AIFF should finalise the short-term competition format in consultation with the clubs, and in the absence of consensus, exercise its authority as league owner to finalise the format without permitting further delay or digression,” the Committee said.

“The committee hopes AIFF will take all necessary steps to safeguard the interests of footballers, clubs, and sports professionals, and ensure continuity and stability of Indian football.”

According to The Times of India, the Committee has recommended that AIFF must bear the cost of refereeing and broadcasting for the delayed ISL, but the federation could contribute Rs 5 crore or 12.5% of the total cost of hosting the leg in a single leg at a centralised venue.

“The AIFF is making it easier for the clubs to accept the latest proposal and confirm participation,” a senior official told TOI. “Most of the demands have been accepted and it’s up to them now to make it happen. We’ve agreed on a deferred entry fee since there is revenue shortfall in sponsorship and broadcasting.”

The three-member AIFF-ISL coordination committee consists of Kerala Football Association president Navas Meeran, Goa Football Association president Caitano Fernandes and Indian Football Association (West Bengal) secretary Anirban Dutta.