Eleven Indian Football Clubs Petition AIFF to Immediately Escalate Current Football Predicament to the Supreme Court
The ongoing legal impasse between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Super League (ISL) organiser, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), has taken a turn as eleven ISL clubs have collectively urged the AIFF to approach the Supreme Court of India to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA).
The MRA, a 15-year agreement signed in 2010, grants FSDL operational and commercial rights over the ISL while AIFF receives ₹50 crore annually for marketing and operational permissions. However, negotiations for the renewal have stalled due to differences in the proposed shareholding split and the cash deal amount.
In April 2025, the Supreme Court issued an oral observation advising that renewal should not happen until a final order is passed concerning the AIFF’s draft constitution, creating a legal uncertainty preventing AIFF from acting decisively on the renewal. As a result, FSDL put the 2025–26 ISL season "on hold," causing operational disruptions for ISL clubs.
Several clubs, including Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC, and Odisha FC, have suspended first-team operations and player/staff payments, citing the prolonged uncertainty.
In a joint letter, the eleven clubs have stated that they will seek judicial recourse independently if the AIFF does not act on their request. They believe that mentioning the matter for urgent listing and judgment and apprising the Hon'ble Court of the current situation is necessary to ensure that the ISL and associated competitions may proceed.
The clubs believe that such a step is legally permissible and in the interest of safeguarding Indian football, the AIFF's own regulatory mandate, and the welfare of all stakeholders involved. They are somewhat surprised that the matter has not already been brought to the Court's attention, given its gravity and implications for the sport.
All the 13 ISL clubs, as well as FSDL representatives, attended a meeting with the AIFF regarding the matter. However, out of the 13 ISL clubs, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal did not sign the letter.
The current MRA between FSDL and the AIFF is scheduled to expire on December 8, 2025. The ISL, the country's top-tier league, normally runs from September to April.
The development comes a day after the AIFF proposed the Super Cup in September to ensure sufficient competitive matches for the clubs after FSDL put a "pause" on the league due to uncertainty over the renewal of the MRA. The AIFF has been asked to work jointly with the clubs to protect the interests of Indian football.
The ISL organisers FSDL announced that the 2025-26 season has been put "on hold" due to the uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the MRA. The AIFF has been urged to take immediate action to resolve the situation regarding the ISL's future.
- The ongoing legal dispute between the AIFF and FSDL has raised concerns about the health of Indian football, as the uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement may impact the future of the sport.
- In light of the operational disruptions caused by the "hold" on the ISL season, several clubs believe that taking judicial action is necessary to safeguard their own interests and ensure the continuous operation of sports competitions in India.
