ISL impasse goes global as FIFPro reportedly writes to FIFA; AIFF agrees to seek Supreme Court relief

The Indian Super League (ISL) has gone global with FIFPro, the global football players’ union, taking up the matter with FIFA to protect the rights of the footballers, while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to highlight the matter in front of the Supreme Court.

There’s no guarantee of the 2025-26 ISL season taking place as of now, as AIFF and its marketing partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which runs the league, has not managed to renew their contract that ends in December 2025. The talks between both parties have also stopped as the Supreme Court has directed AIFF against taking any big decision until it delivers the final order on the federation’s constitution case.

AIFF to seek SC view on ISL impasse

After declaring a press conference recently that the league will be held later this year, AIFF, in a statement on Thursday, said that it will raise the matter in front of the Supreme Court next week.

“A discussion was held between the legal representatives of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, on Thursday… It has been agreed by all parties that the concerns of the ISL clubs… will be conveyed to the Hon’ble Supreme Court next week, for its kind consideration,” AIFF said on X.

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Meanwhile, the Telegraph and a few Indian media houses have reported that FIFPro, the global football players’ union, has written an email to FIFA against a few ISL clubs for ‘unlawful suspension’ of players’ contracts.

FIFPro writes to FIFA over ISL

FIFPro shot the mail after the Football Players Association of India approached them for assistance.

“Unfortunately, there is currently no clear roadmap in terms of the next competition edition’s kick-off and calendar, but also no financial stability, which is obviously fundamental for all interested parties, especially the players who we represent,” FIFPro’s letter to Fifa said, as per Telegraph.

“A significant number of players have approached FIFPro and its members to report unilateral suspensions of their employment contracts until further notice by various clubs due to participate in the ISL. Such unlawful suspensions — in direct breach of the players’ labour rights — combined with the general state of uncertainty surrounding the near future of the ISL, have plunged players into a great state of uncertainty and distress. Their livelihoods and careers are on the line,” it added.

“We would appreciate any clarification you may have, and any actions you could urgently take in order to contribute to the solution of this situation… FIFA cannot continue to effectively ignore one in five people on the planet.”

ISL clubs like Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC have already suspended the contracts of their first-team players.