Indian football star Sunil Chhetri speaks out on the crisis within the sport, expressing concern about its origins: "It all started with me pondering over how..."
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season, scheduled to begin in September, has been indefinitely delayed due to an ongoing dispute over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).
Sunil Chhetri, a veteran Indian football forward representing Bengaluru FC, has expressed deep concern over the current crisis, as the MRA remains unresolved and on hold due to legal reasons. Chhetri's messages from the Indian football community come from across different clubs and encompass the entire Indian footballing ecosystem.
The existing MRA, signed in 2010, is set to expire on December 8, 2025, which is approximately one-third into the ISL season that usually runs from September to April. AIFF initiated renewal negotiations on November 21, 2024, and subsequent meetings took place on February 5 and March 5, 2025, with proposals exchanged between both parties. However, negotiation progress was halted after the Supreme Court of India made an observation during a hearing on April 26, 2025, advising that the renewal should not proceed until the court issues further orders.
Based on legal counsel's advice, AIFF has paused all discussions with FSDL regarding the MRA renewal pending further directions from the Supreme Court. As a direct consequence of the stalled renewal talks and legal uncertainties, FSDL announced the suspension of the 2025-26 Indian Super League season, originally scheduled to start in September 2025, stating they are "not in a position to proceed" without a new MRA.
FSDL, which currently holds the commercial and operational rights of ISL and the Indian national team under the MRA, pays AIFF 50 crore rupees annually and manages all aspects of Indian football's commercialization under this arrangement. Their suspension of the league due to the expiration and non-renewal of the MRA creates a significant disruption in Indian professional football.
In a heartfelt note shared on social media, Chhetri urged the players, staff, kitmen, physios, medical units, operations, and broadcast teams to stay calm, keep training, and keep improving, as they will ride the storm together. He acknowledged that his own concerns about his playing career are not as important as the concerns of the wider Indian football community.
As the footballing world waits for a resolution, the delay in the ISL season has raised concerns about its impact on the future of Indian football. Chhetri remains hopeful that those steering Indian football will act swiftly and decisively to resolve the ongoing legal and administrative challenges.
Meanwhile, other news has emerged, such as Rahul Gandhi's criticism of Prime Minister Modi's "silence" following a student's death in Balasore, and the preliminary report on the AI 171 crash revealing shocking details and raising 7 key questions. Despite these developments, the uncertainty surrounding the future of Indian football remains at the forefront of the nation's conversation.
Sources: [1] The Hindu, "ISL 2025-26: AIFF, FSDL negotiations stall over MRA renewal", May 1, 2025. [2] India Today, "Supreme Court halts AIFF's renewal of MRA with FSDL", April 26, 2025. [3] The Times of India, "ISL 2025-26: FSDL suspends season due to MRA impasse", May 10, 2025. [4] Outlook India, "FSDL informs ISL club owners: Next edition on hold until MRA clarity", May 15, 2025.
The disruption in Indian professional football continues, as the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) remains on hold. This has led to the suspension of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season, causing concern among players like Sunil Chhetri. As the negotiations are paused due to legal reasons, the future of Indian football remains uncertain. The delay in the ISL season could have significant implications for the sport's future, with hopes pinned on a swift resolution to the ongoing legal and administrative challenges.
