John Abraham Voices Support for Football Players Amid ISL Delays

John Abraham Supports Players Amid Rising Frustration

John Abraham, the actor and owner of NorthEast United FC (NEUFC), has publicly backed both Indian and international footballers participating in the Indian Super League (ISL). This support comes in light of a collective plea from players for the league to begin, as January progresses without any sign of kickoff, leading to increasing frustration among the athletes.

Reports indicate that several players have reached out to FIFA, requesting the organization to intervene and address the ongoing issues surrounding the league. In response to these developments, John Abraham took to his official X account to express his disappointment, stating, "Shame on us ... this is what we have come to."

The ongoing delays are impacting not only Indian players but also foreign athletes who have signed with ISL teams. As a committed owner in Indian football, John's remarks highlight the growing unease within the football community regarding the uncertainty and lack of communication.

AIFF Responds with Commitment to Announce Dates

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Saturday that it will reveal the schedule for the Indian Super League (ISL) next week, following a meeting of its Emergency Committee.

In an official statement, the AIFF confirmed that the Emergency Committee convened on January 3 to review the report submitted by the AIFF-ISL Coordination Committee.

Role of the Coordination Committee

The Coordination Committee was established on December 20, 2025, after discussions during the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent Annual General Meeting.

This committee was responsible for delivering its report to the AIFF Secretariat by January 2, which it successfully completed. The AIFF Emergency Committee acknowledged this report and recommended that the league be organized by the AIFF. Consequently, the AIFF will oversee the league and has confirmed that the start date for the ISL will be announced next week.