Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has expressed deep concern over the uncertain state of the sport in the country, following the ongoing deadlock between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) regarding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA). With FSDL putting the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season on hold and AIFF yet to respond formally, players and staff across clubs are left anxious about their future.
Chhetri, who is currently in the final stages of his playing career, took to social media to share a heartfelt message that resonated across the football fraternity. Reflecting on how the initial delay in pre-season gave him time to regain fitness during vacation, he admitted that the “indefinite” postponement has now become a source of stress—not just for him, but for the entire ecosystem that thrives around Indian football.
When my phone went off a few weeks ago informing us of a delay in pre-season by a fortnight, I must admit it made me smile. And that’s because I was on vacation, hadn’t moved as much as I would have liked to, and hadn’t been eating as clean as I usually do. I had more time than I… pic.twitter.com/pEGyr8Sp5O
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) July 16, 2025
“The current situation that Indian football finds itself in is very concerning,” Chhetri wrote. “I’ve received a flurry of texts from players, staff members, physios, masseurs – not just from my club, but from other clubs as well. Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with.”
The Bengaluru FC striker urged calm and unity in these challenging times, stating, “Please stay calm. We’ll ride this storm together. Keep training and get better. Football has to resume soon. It will.”
With no confirmed date for the league’s return and growing unrest among stakeholders, all eyes are now on the AIFF and FSDL to find a resolution that ensures stability and protects the livelihoods of those dependent on India’s top-tier football.
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