Indian football finds itself at a critical crossroads as some of the country’s most prominent players, led by Sunil Chhetri, have publicly appealed to FIFA for urgent intervention amid the indefinite suspension of the Indian Super League (ISL).
With the 2025–26 season yet to kick off, growing uncertainty around the league’s future has sparked widespread concern among players, clubs, and fans alike.
In a joint video statement released on social media on Friday, senior Indian internationals including Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Sandhesh Jhingan, alongside several foreign ISL players, voiced their fears over what they described as an alarming standstill threatening the very fabric of the sport in the country.
Players warn of “permanent paralysis” in governance
The collective message painted a grim picture of the current situation, with players suggesting that Indian football governance is no longer functioning effectively. Gurpreet captured the frustration felt across the footballing community, stating,
“It's January and we should be on your screens as apart of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League.” Instead, he noted, players have been forced into an uncertain limbo.
Echoing that sentiment, Sandhesh Jhingan added, “Instead, here we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud something which we all know.” The players warned that unless decisive action is taken, the sport risks slipping into what they termed a state of “permanent paralysis.”
Appeal to FIFA framed as a last resort
Central to the statement was a direct plea to FIFA, urging the global governing body to step in and help safeguard the future of Indian football. The players made it clear that their appeal was not politically motivated but born out of necessity.
“Indian football governance is no longer able to fulfil its responsibilities. We are now staring at a permanent paralysis. This is the last-ditch effort to save what we can. So we are calling the FIFA to step in and do what it takes to save Indian football,” the group said.
They further emphasized the broader impact of the crisis, describing it as a humanitarian, sporting, and economic issue.
“This call is not political, it is not driven by confrontation but by necessity… the truth is that we are facing a humanitarian, sporting and economic crisis,” the statement read.
Sunil Chhetri stresses need for clarity and future
Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri concluded the appeal by underlining the need for stability and long-term vision.
“Players, staff, owners and the fans deserve clarity, protection and more importantly, a future,” he said, summing up the collective anxiety gripping the ecosystem.
Why the ISL remains suspended
The roots of the crisis lie in the unresolved renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the league’s former organisers. The agreement expired on December 8, following which the 2025–26 ISL season was put on hold as early as July.
The impasse has since escalated to the Supreme Court, with a court-appointed committee overseeing the process. A tender for the ISL’s commercial rights was floated, but it failed to attract any bidders, further deepening the uncertainty.
Clubs seek financial clarity, continental impact looms
In a significant development, 13 of the 14 ISL clubs informed the AIFF that they may be willing to participate in a delayed season, provided there is no participation fee and the federation assumes responsibility for operational and organisational costs.
With time running out, it is now certain that clubs will be unable to meet the mandatory requirement of 24 matches needed for eligibility in the AFC Champions League 2.
As a result, ISL clubs have urged the AIFF to seek a one-time relaxation from the Asian Football Confederation to avoid continental exclusion.