Indian Football's Revival: Ministry and Clubs Collaborate for League Restart
Efforts to Revive Indian Football
The Sports Ministry is actively working to unite all stakeholders, including the judiciary, to facilitate the revival of Indian football. The halt in the sport's progress is attributed to the expiration of the commercial agreement between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Currently, the federation has not announced a timeline for resuming the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League for the ongoing season.
During a meeting held on Thursday, the ministry, along with clubs and the AIFF, informed the clubs that government funding for the league is not an option. However, ministry officials expressed their commitment on Friday to take all necessary steps to restore the competitions promptly.
A ministry source stated, "We are making efforts to assist them, but it is important to clarify that we cannot provide direct funding." The source also mentioned that they are working to address legal issues that could potentially lead to a FIFA ban, assuring that a resolution is forthcoming.
In parallel, clubs have presented a proposal to both the AIFF and the ministry aimed at restarting the league. All ISL teams, with the exception of East Bengal, submitted a detailed plan to the ministry, suggesting a consortium model for organizing and managing the league, with the AIFF retaining a special share.
According to a letter reviewed by a local media outlet, the clubs are seeking the authority to operate, manage, and commercially leverage India's football league. If approved, they claim they could initiate the 2025-26 ISL season within a month.
A significant aspect of their proposal includes a request for a complete waiver of the league rights fee owed to the AIFF. The clubs stated, "For the 2025-26 season, we propose that the league rights fee payable to AIFF be set to zero, considering the exceptional transitional circumstances and the necessity for uninterrupted football continuity."
Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, the clubs are willing to consider an annual contribution of INR 10 Crore to the AIFF, regardless of whether a commercial partner is involved. This funding would support grassroots initiatives, youth development, referee and coach training, and administrative expenses.
Moreover, the proposal acknowledges that implementing these changes may require amendments to the AIFF Constitution. The clubs have requested the AIFF, with the ministry's support, to engage with all relevant parties and present the need for constitutional amendments to the Supreme Court of India, aiming for a modern and transparent governance framework for the league.