AIFF wants to be assured of clubs’ participation before floating a fresh tender within 10 days
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has sought confirmation from Indian Super League (ISL) clubs for participation in its 2025-26 edition, before preparing to float its premier League’s tender soon. Consultancy firm KPMG has been tasked to prepare a request for proposal (RFQ) document, keeping in mind AIFF’s 20-year proposal to clubs on 26th December. The AIFF is reportedly planning to float fresh tenders within 10 days. But before floating a fresh tender after the first one failed to receive any bid, AIFF wants to be assured of participation from clubs and format for the current edition. “AIFF is required to submit the outcome of these meetings to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports before 2nd January, 2026. Further, the Honorable Supreme Court is scheduled to resume after vacation on 5th January 2026, and all stakeholders may be required to file relevant documents in accordance with legal advice,” AIFF’s deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan wrote in a letter to CEOs of ISL clubs on Wednesday. “In this regard, you are requested to kindly confirm the participation of your respective clubs and the proposed competition format, enabling AIFF to formally communicate with the Asian Football Confederation, including the actual number of matches to be played in the tournament for the 2025-26 season. However, Multiple discussions have happened between AIFF and clubs over the last seven days, though no formal agreement has been reached over budget, if and format for the current season. A section of the clubs wants a commercial partner, similar to AIFF’s erstwhile partner FSDL, to be roped in to shoulder a part of the operational costs to relieve them of the extra burden. Differences also remain over the estimation of budgets, with clubs evaluating it to be around Rs 77 crore while AIFF expects it to be in the region of Rs 35-42 crore, depending on the venue. Matches in the three venues of Kolkata and the suburbs would cost a bit less than in the two grounds of Goa. In internal discussions on Wednesday, a single-leg format in Goa has emerged as the preference for clubs, a final decision on which would be taken on Thursday before it is sent to AIFF. Each team will play 12 matches for a total of 78 matches in this format on two venues (six training grounds), the cost of which has been kept at around Rs 40-42 crore. With no matches even at the start of the new year, and time being of the essence for a February 5 to 7 tentative start, AIFF set a 24-hour cut-off time for clubs’ response.
Pal alleges of ‘betting’ in BSL; Shocked Shrachi Sports asks how ‘law of land’ can be violated?
Sudeep Pakrashi: Sourav Pal, one of the IFA vice-presidents, has again been accused of ‘betting’ in the ongoing Bengal Super League (BSL). The key reason behind his allegation is the presence of Dafa News, which runs online betting operations as one of Asia’s leading betting companies. Pal, when asked to clarify his allegations, commented, “Dafa News is directly linked with betting, and as they are one of the brands in the ongoing BSL, match-fixing in the League is taking place.” Pal cited another example, adding, “Is it not ridiculous that after each and every League match, a penalty shoot-out takes place? Why? What is its purpose? Everything related to match-fixing!” The IFA vice-president added, “Swarup Biswas, also the vice-president, and I have both submitted protest letters to the IFA in its last Finance-Committee meeting as well as in the Governing-Body meeting, raising voices against Dafa’s presence in the League. Even Arup Biswas, the state’s last sports minister, asserted that BSL will not get the stadiums and grounds for the matches if Dafa is there.” However, Tomal Ghosal, Chairman, Shrachi Sports, when contacted for his reaction, told Parallel Sports, “First of all, betting is banned in India. So, how can the ‘law of land’ be violated? Then how does the question of match-fixing come? Secondly, the penalty shoot-out, which is being held after the end of each match, has been developed as purely a separate competition to attract viewers. It is not at all related to the results of respective matches. Thirdly, Dafa’s presence is not only here in this League, India’s one of the premier sports competitions, but Hockey India League (HIL) also has Dafa as one of its brands! It was also in the recently-concluded Kerala Pro-League.” Ghosal added, “We are upset with the allegations. Do these people who are making false allegations know that how many young footballers, debutant in the BSL, have drawn attention of the country’s several leading coaches and scouts? Do these people know that how many ISL and I-League clubs have shown curiousness on the emerging talents of BSL already? I am sure IFA is also shocked at the allegations. Isn’t it true that BSL has created the platform for those who were not at all getting the desired exposure to show their mettle?”
Now Gill, Jadeja, and Rahul will play the Vijay Hazare Trophy in January
After being snubbed in the T-20 World Cup, India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and star batter KL Rahul are all set to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in January. The trio will join their respective teams ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on 11th January. According to Cricbuzz, Shubman Gill is expected to feature in Punjab’s matches on January 3 and 6 against Sikkim and Goa in Jaipur. Punjab, grouped with powerhouse Mumbai in Group C, currently sits fourth with two wins from three games. After playing two games, Gill will leave his state side to join the Indian team, which is set to assemble in Baroda on 7th and 8th January before the first ODI against New Zealand. Ravindra Jadeja has also informed the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) that he will play the January 6 and 8 fixtures against Services and Gujarat. Saurashtra are playing their league matches in Alur, Karnataka, and currently have one win from three games, placing them sixth in the eight-team group. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has not confirmed KL Rahul’s participation, but he’s likely to play in the January 3 and 6 games against Tripura and Rajasthan in Ahmedabad. Karnataka is second in Group A, maintaining a 100% win record from three matches. Only fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been exempted from the mandatory commitments as the BCCI is managing his workload carefully.
Australian great Damien Martyn is battling for life against Meningitis!
Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn is in an induced coma, battling life-threatening meningitis. He was rushed to a Brisbane hospital in serious condition after falling ill on 26 December. The 54-year-old has meningitis, which inflames the membranes around the brain and spinal cord and can cause brain swelling. Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, a close friend of Martyn, informed the public on behalf of his family that Martyn is receiving treatment in a hospital. “He is getting the best of treatment, and (Martyn’s partner) Amanda and his family know that many people are sending their prayers and best wishes,” Gilchrist was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg also sent his best wishes for Martyn’s speedy recovery. “I’m saddened to hear of Damien’s illness. The best wishes of everyone at Cricket Australia and in the wider cricket community are with him at this time,” Greenberg said in a statement. Martyn made his debut in international cricket during a Test against the West Indies in Brisbane in 1992, scoring 36 and 15 in two innings. Then, he established himself as one of the most elegant stroke-players in Australia and went on to play 67 Tests and 208 ODIs for Australia.
Wolves end 11-straight defeat with a draw against tired Manchester United!
Manchester United made a frustrating end to 2025 as it was held to a 1-1 home draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday, as the Premier League’s bottom side collected its third point of the season. Wolves brought an end to a run of 11 straight defeats in the league. They never looked like a side facing almost inevitable relegation, as it managed to derail a United seeking to break back into the top four. Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee made the most of a rare start by giving United the lead in the 27th minute, fashioning a sliver of space on the edge of the box before scoring with a shot that deflected off Ladislav Krejci. Benjamin Sesko almost made it two in the 39th minute, but he headed his effort from a corner off the post, summing up a frustrating night for the 22-year-old Slovenian. Wolves never backed down, and Krejci equalised just before the break, Zirkzee giving him a helping hand by sending a defensive header across the box for the Czech to nod back in at the far post. The tempo remained high in the second half, with Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa scrambling to prevent a header from teammate Yerson Mosquera from going into the net, while his United counterpart?Senne Lammens pulled off a superb double save to deny Krejci and Mosquera. Patrick Dorgu thought he had snatched a 90th-minute winner for ?United, but the goal was chalked off for offside following a VAR review, leaving United sixth in the standings with 30 points. Wolves is bottom with three points from 19 matches.
