New Delhi: Amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League (ISL), All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey has confirmed that the country's premier football league will be held this year. His statement comes at a time when several ISL clubs have suspended their first-team operations indefinitely, following the league’s postponement by organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).
FSDL’s decision was reportedly prompted by the unresolved status of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with the AIFF. The current 15-year MRA, signed in 2010, is set to expire on December 18, adding to the uncertainty within Indian football's top-tier ecosystem.
Despite growing concerns, Chaubey assured the resumption of ISL while reiterating that the AIFF cannot interfere in the internal matters of clubs, particularly regarding the payment of players and staff. “The ISL will be held this year. There is no doubt about that,” Chaubey told the media following a meeting with club CEOs in New Delhi. “At the same time, it’s the club’s decision to pay their players or staff. We can’t intervene — that’s how all top leagues operate.”
Thursday’s meeting, called by the AIFF, brought club executives together to discuss pressing issues in Indian football. Although Chaubey confirmed the league would take place, he did not offer a detailed roadmap or address the immediate concerns over the suspension of club operations.
In a bid to ensure competitive play continues during the uncertainty, the AIFF president also proposed scheduling the Super Cup in the second or third week of September. “We are anticipating the Super Cup to take place in the second or third week of September. Some teams need six to eight weeks to complete their preparations and bring back players. In our next meeting, we’ll announce the kick-off date,” he said.
The Super Cup, which replaced the Federation Cup in 2018, has primarily been hosted in Bhubaneswar, except for the 2023 edition, which was held in Kerala. Last year, FC Goa, led by former India head coach Manolo Marquez, clinched the title by defeating Jamshedpur FC, then managed by current India head coach Khalid Jamil.
This year’s Super Cup winner will gain a berth in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League Two, offering clubs a valuable international opportunity at a time of domestic instability.
With IANS inputs