The crisis surrounding the Indian Super League continues to escalate, with multiple clubs suspending operations as the domestic football ecosystem reels from the All India Football Federation’s failure to secure a commercial partner for the league.
The turbulence began after the introduction of the Supreme Court–mandated AIFF Constitution, following which the federation issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) that required bidders to commit ₹37.5 crore annually or 5% of gross revenue to acquire ISL’s commercial rights. The steep financial expectations have resulted in zero bidders, plunging Indian football into a state of uncertainty.
As the bidding process collapsed, panic spread across the ecosystem. Bengaluru FC became the first major club to confirm the impact, announcing on Friday that head coach Gerard Zaragoza, along with his entire backroom staff, would be departing. The club’s statement came just as several others, including Kerala Blasters and Mohun Bagan Super Giants, temporarily shut down first-team operations. Players across clubs now fear that extended delays may lead to salaries being withheld under force majeure clauses.
Retired Justice L. Nageswara Rao, who is overseeing the AIFF reforms, is expected to brief the Supreme Court on November 19 regarding the federation’s inability to finalise a commercial partner. The federation is expected to seek permission to revisit and amend its constitution in hopes of reopening the bidding process and reviving the stalled league. But for many players and staff, the damage has already begun.
Earlier this week, ISL footballers posted a unified message across social media, urging authorities to ensure that the league resumes without further delay. Behind the scenes, the human impact has been devastating. RevSportz has learnt of two distressing cases, names withheld to protect the individuals.
One involves a 23-year-old midfielder whose father is paralysed and requires constant medical care. With his club pausing salary payments, the player has been forced into debt to fund treatment, and prolonged uncertainty could push him further into crisis.
Another case concerns a young goalkeeper currently part of India’s U-23 squad for the Thailand friendly. He too is dealing with financial hardship following his club’s interim salary freeze. More similar stories may surface in the coming days if the deadlock continues.
The ISL uncertainty has also disrupted the broader domestic calendar. Both the I-League and the Indian Women’s League remain without confirmed schedules, discouraging potential sponsors and leaving clubs hesitant to plan. The impact on women’s football is particularly severe. Despite the Indian women’s national team qualifying for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup by defeating Thailand, a nation that has appeared in two FIFA Women’s World Cups, the momentum has stalled. The AIFF had earlier promised an early, two-phased IWL starting in September to keep players in peak shape ahead of the Asian Cup in March. That plan is now in limbo.
Meanwhile, anxiety within teams has reached a breaking point. On Friday, captains of all ISL clubs except Mohammedan have jointly approached the Supreme Court, filing a petition before a bench led by Justice Narasimha and Justice Bagchi. Their appeal seeks immediate intervention to revive the 2025–26 ISL season and protect the livelihoods of players, coaches, and support staff. FIFPro has also taken cognisance of the situation, highlighting concerns over disrupted training routines, salary instability, and contractual uncertainty.
The AIFF is scheduled to meet ISL clubs on November 18 to discuss the feasibility of conducting the season between January and May. Until then, the Indian football fraternity waits anxiously, hoping the game can return before the crisis deepens further.
Also Read: Gerard Zaragoza Parts Ways With Bengaluru FC, All ISL captains approach Supreme Court