The global professional footballers’ union has called for a speedy resolution of an administrative crisis that has paralyzed ‘s domestic football league and seen some clubs suspend players’ salaries.
The union said the “escalating uncertainty” was having a “significant impact” on the players’ “livelihoods, careers, and wellbeing.”
The 2025-26 season was due to begin in September, but the 14-team competition was suspended indefinitely in July due to contractual issues between the Indian Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the private company that operates the day-to-day running of the league.
The current rights deal between the AIFF and FSDL is due to expire in December, three months into the new season, but the two parties have thus far been unable to agree on an extension.
Indian football: Union slams ‘breach of labor rights’
“In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organize, or commercialize the 2025-26 ISL season,” the FSDL said in a letter to all ISL clubs in July — leaving thousands of players and staff in limbo and in danger of losing their jobs.
Earlier this month, three ISL clubs, Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC and former champions Bengaluru FC, either suspended salaries or halted football operations until a solution is found.
“Players have been subjected to unilateral and unlawful suspensions of their employment contracts until further notice,” read the statement from FIFPRO Asia/Oceania on Tuesday. “These actions represent a direct breach of the players’ labor rights and are causing significant distress.”
As well as raising the issue with football’s global governing body and the , the union urged the AIFF, FSDL and Indian club owners to “confirm the ISL season schedule and establish a clear roadmap for the season to commence.”
Indian Super League: What exactly is the dispute about?
Football Sports Development Limited signed a 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with the Indian Football Federation back in 2010, agreeing to pay 500 million Indian rupees ($5.75 million, €4.9 million) per year in exchange for league broadcast, management and commercialization rights.
According to ESPN, discussions regarding a new MRA from December 2025 onwards had involved changes in the ISL’s ownership structure, proposing a 60% share for the clubs themselves, 26% for the FSDL and 14% for the AIFF.
But India’s Supreme Court ordered negotiations to be put on hold until it had delivered a final judgment in a separate case regarding a new constitution for the AIFF. A ruling in that case had been expected on Friday.
India: Domestic chaos impacts national team
The limbo paralyzed the domestic game and plunged the Indian national team into chaos as well.
Current ISL champions Mohun Bagan recently refused to release their players for international duty ahead of the CAFA Nations Cup starting this month, accusing the AIFF of “negligence” over player welfare.
In early July, head coach Manolo Marquez left his position by mutual consent after just one win in eight games, less than a year in the job and with the team ranked 133rd in FIFA’s rankings — their lowest position in nearly a decade, beneath Nicaragua, Malawi, Rwanda, North Korea and Palestine.
On August 1, the AIFF appointed former midfielder Khalid Jamil (above) as head coach after dismissing hoax applications from former head coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez.
Edited by Sean Sinico
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