Author: Rahul Giri

Amid the cloud of uncertainty in Indian football, there is good news for those in West Bengal who play the game and those who like following it. The Bengal Super League (BSL) — a franchise-based inter-district tournament aiming to bring professional football to the district level — will kick off in October this year. Officially unveiled at a 5 star hotel in Kolkata, the league marks a bold step towards bridging the gap between rural talent and the professional stage. In the presence of dignitaries including IFA president Ajit Banerjee, secretary Anirban Dutta and prominent figures from Shrachi Sports and…

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), who had initially pulled out of the upcoming Durand Cup, have agreed to participate in the tournament — but only if certain conditions laid out by the club are met. The 133rd edition of Asia’s oldest football competition is set to kick off on July 23, featuring 24 teams across six venues in five states. In a letter sent in response to the Durand Committee’s official invitation, Mohun Bagan listed four key demands. Chief among them is clarity on the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) , which the club says hinges on the…

The uncertainty over Mohammedan Sporting Club’s participation in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) is expected to be resolved soon. Following a financially turbulent season, the Shrachi Group severed ties with the club, leaving it in a state of disarray. Mohammedan SC endured a forgettable campaign, finishing at the bottom of the ISL table amidst salary dues and multiple controversies. Issues ranging from unpaid wages to players and coaches to internal conflicts between the investor group and the club’s management severely impacted on-field performances. Since the conclusion of the previous ISL, the club has been actively seeking new investors to…

Tentative fixtures for the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup have been released, with the tournament scheduled to kick off on July 23 and conclude on August 23. In a significant development, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who were earlier reported to have withdrawn, have been included following last-minute negotiations, as per reports. Seven ISL clubs — Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa, Kerala Blasters FC, Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC and Mumbai City FC — have opted out of the competition due to uncertainty surrounding the scheduling of the upcoming ISL season. Tentative Fixtures: The participating ISL clubs this year include Mohun Bagan…

The All India Football Federation is seriously considering a landmark policy that would allow footballers from other South Asian nations to be registered as domestic players in Indian leagues — a step inspired by Bangladesh’s recent implementation of the same. At its Executive Committee meeting held on July 2, 2025, chaired by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, the proposal was discussed in detail. If implemented, players from SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) countries — including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan — will no longer be treated as foreign recruits by Indian clubs in the I-League and Indian Super…

In what promises to be a nostalgic moment for Mohun Bagan fans, ‘homegrown’ forward Kiyan Nassiri is all set for a return to the Kolkata giants ahead of the new season. Kiyan, who was a part of Mohun Bagan’s title-winning I-League squad in 2019 and famously scored a historic hat-trick in the 2022 Kolkata Derby, had earned a special place in the hearts of the green-and-maroon faithful. However, a lack of consistent playing time saw him move to Chennaiyin FC last season, seeking more minutes on the pitch. Despite being in head coach Owen Coyle’s plans at Chennaiyin, Kiyan struggled…

Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia launched a scathing attack on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its president Kalyan Chaubey, questioning the federation’s direction, transparency, and competence in handling key matters concerning Indian football. In a press conference filled with strong words and pointed accusations on Friday, Bhutia expressed grave concerns over the functioning of Indian football’s apex body and called for greater accountability. At the centre of his criticism was AIFF’s strategic roadmap Vision 2047, a long-term development plan aimed at turning India into a footballing powerhouse in Asia by its centenary year. Bhutia, however, remained unconvinced…

Following India’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey addressed a series of key issues surrounding Indian football, including the future of national team head coach Manolo Marquez, the integration of OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) players, goal-scoring concerns, grassroots development, and long-term strategic goals. Manolo Marquez’s Future to Be Decided on 29 June With growing uncertainty over Manolo Marquez’s position after a string of underwhelming results, Chaubey confirmed that the Spanish coach’s future will be deliberated at the upcoming AIFF Executive Committee meeting on 29 June. “Manolo is a highly rated coach with a solid understanding…

Things are going from bad to worse for Mohammedan Sporting. With a potential FIFA transfer ban hanging over their heads, the Kolkata club with an illustrious history is also urgently searching for a new investor to secure their participation in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL), following the exit of the Shrachi Group. Sources have informed RevSportz that the Black and White Brigade have held discussions with several potential investors, but an agreement is yet to be reached. With time running out, the club’s last resort could well be seeking assistance from the West Bengal Chief Minister for a solution…

India suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong in their AFC Asian Cup qualifier, a stark contrast to their dominant 4-0 victory against the same opponent three years prior. Despite a strong showing against the 153rd-ranked nation, India failed to capitalise on scoring opportunities and couldn’t hold their nerve until the final whistle, as a late penalty in the dying moments proved costly. Stefan Pereira’s penalty kick secured Hong Kong’s victory, sending the home crowd into rapturous cheers that reverberated across the stadium. The Hong Kong players celebrated enthusiastically with their devoted fans, basking in a crucial win. With…