Indian Football Stars Urge FIFA to Address Crisis in Domestic Leagues
Call for FIFA Intervention in Indian Football
As uncertainty looms over Indian domestic football, prominent players including Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Hugo Boumous have released a joint video appealing for FIFA's intervention. They highlight the ongoing "humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis" affecting players as the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League struggle to secure commercial partnerships.
Gurpreet Sandhu expressed frustration, stating, "It is January, and we should be competing in the Indian Super League."
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Sandesh Jhingan, a veteran defender, voiced the collective sentiment, stating, "We are compelled to speak out about the situation we all recognize."
Lallianzuala Chhangte from Mumbai City emphasized the unity among players in making this urgent appeal.
Carlos Delgado from Odisha FC remarked that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is failing to meet its obligations.
Amrinder Singh, another goalkeeper, warned that Indian football is on the brink of a "permanent paralysis."
Hugo Boumous added, "We are urging FIFA to take necessary actions to rescue Indian football and hope our message reaches the authorities in Zurich."
Defender Rahul Bheke clarified that their actions are not politically motivated but stem from necessity.
Pritam Kotal from Chennaiyin FC highlighted the dire humanitarian and economic challenges players are facing.
Sunil Chhetri emphasized the need for clarity and protection for all stakeholders in Indian football, stating, "Everyone deserves a future in this sport."
Suresh Singh Wangjam concluded with a plea, saying, "We just want to play football. Please assist us in doing so."
The deadline for submitting bids to monetize the ISL's commercial rights passed in early November without any responses.
The AIFF had issued a Request for Quotation on October 16 to find a commercial partner for the league.
In September, the Supreme Court approved AIFF's proposal to resume the ISL, which is currently suspended.
The proposal included plans for tenders to find a commercial partner for the ISL, originally set to start in December, and to kick off the 2025-26 season with the Super Cup, as reported by ESPN.
The Supreme Court urged the AIFF to ensure a timely start to the upcoming football season and approved the tender process, appointing former Justice Nageswara Rao to oversee it.
On August 22, the Court instructed AIFF and FSDL to collaborate and present a roadmap for the league's future, leading to discussions in Bengaluru on August 25.
FSDL, which has been instrumental in the ISL's development, agreed to waive its rights regarding negotiations for the winning bid.
The ISL, typically held from September to April, has been suspended due to ongoing disputes between AIFF and FSDL over unresolved contractual issues. The Master Rights Agreement between the two parties is set to expire at the end of 2025.