As Indian football continues to wait for clarity over the future of the Indian Super League, frustration within the player community has reached a breaking point. With no confirmed start date, no clear roadmap, and months of inactivity behind them, players are now speaking openly about the personal and professional toll of the prolonged uncertainty.
Odisha FC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, who has been away from competitive football for more than seven months, has voiced the concerns shared by players across the country. In an exclusive interaction with RevSportz, the experienced custodian laid bare the realities footballers are currently facing. From financial distress to mental fatigue as the delay in the league continues.
“It’s very difficult,” Amrinder said. “It has been a long time since we last played any competitive match. There is no proper training, no fixed schedule, and no long-term plan. I speak to many players regularly, and everyone is going through a tough phase.”
According to the India international, the uncertainty has hit younger players the hardest. With no matches and no clarity on when the season will begin, several footballers are struggling to sustain themselves.
“There are many young players who come from families that are not financially strong. Some of them are even doing 9-to-5 jobs just to earn a livelihood. Football is their profession, but right now, they are forced to look for other ways to survive. This was completely unexpected,” Amrinder said.
He added that even maintaining basic fitness standards has become difficult without financial security. “To stay fit, to eat properly, to train the way a footballer should, all of that requires money. If the league doesn’t run, how do you expect players to manage?”
Amrinder also highlighted the broader impact on Indian football, pointing out that the lack of competitive matches directly affects the national team. “We played one international match, then after two months another one. Without regular competitive football at the club level, how can you expect the national team to perform? As a footballing nation, this hurts us deeply.”
Senior players, he revealed, have come together across clubs to discuss the situation and support younger teammates. “We have a group where senior players from different teams talk every day. We try to motivate each other and also the youngsters. Many of us are helping financially as well. But this cannot go on forever.”
The frustration has now turned into collective action. With little clarity emerging from official meetings, players have decided to raise their voice together. “We don’t really know what is happening in all those meetings. That’s why we have decided to speak up collectively. We want the league to start as soon as possible,” he said.
Appealing directly to stakeholders and fans, Amrinder added, “I request everyone, the federation, the authorities, and the fans to come together. Footballers are suffering, their families are suffering. Fans are also waiting to watch Indian football again. We all want the same thing.”
As Indian football enters another uncertain phase, the words of one of its most experienced professionals reflect the growing anxiety within the ecosystem. With over 2,000 livelihoods dependent on the league, the delay is no longer just an administrative issue, it is a human one.
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