Thirteen clubs reluctant to take financial burden! AIFF receives the reply
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued the letter on Wednesday to the ISL clubs, seeking confirmation of their participation in the ISL for this season by Thursday. It is believed that 13 clubs, except Jamshedpur FC, have expressed unwillingness to take up the financial burden. It is also believed that these eight clubs have decided to seek additional details pertaining to financial expenditure. Replying to the point, Satyanarayan explained, “We will surely confirm our part of the whole expenditure. But before that, we need to be confirmed about clubs’ participation and the format they accept.” Significantly, Dhruv Sood, the CEO of Sporting Club Delhi, has sent a reply email to the AIFF on Thursday, mentioning five specific points for clarification. The five specific points are as follows: Financial Responsibility in the Absence of a Commercial Partner – That, in the absence of an appointed commercial partner and/or broadcaster, and until such time as commercial rights are formally transferred or monetised, the AIFF—being the rights holder and operator of the league—shall assume financial responsibility for league-level organisational and operational costs for the 2025–26 season, in accordance with principles of sound financial governance and risk allocation envisaged under the NSGA and the minimum standards of the ISL product as discussed in the joint budgeting exercise. No Participation Fee for the 2025–26 Season – That, having regard to the proposed truncated format, the absence of a settled commercial revenue model, and the requirement under the NSGA to avoid disproportionate or arbitrary financial burdens on regulated entities, there shall be no participation fee payable by clubs for the 2025–26 season. Cost Allocation for the Interim Season – That the majority of league-level costs required to deliver the 2025–26 season shall be borne by the AIFF, with clubs continuing to meet only their respective team-related and routine operational expenses, ensuring that clubs are not exposed to indeterminate or open-ended financial liabilities contrary to principles of financial certainty and institutional stability under the NSGA. Time-Bound and Accountable Long-Term Roadmap – The AIFF shall place on record a clear, time-bound roadmap for execution of the long-term plan, including defined timelines and accountability for the appointment of a commercial partner and/or broadcaster, finalisation of the league’s revenue, governance, and risk-sharing framework; and transition to a financially self-sustaining competition model consistent with statutory governance norms. Government Support to minimize costs – That, in view of the exceptional, transitional, and systemic nature of the present circumstances, and consistent with the NSGA’s recognition of government facilitation to preserve institutional continuity and sporting integrity, the AIFF shall actively seek commercial or institutional support from the Government of India to help make the interim 2025–26 season sustainable. Dhruv Sood’s reply-mail has been signed by Mohun Bagan Super Giants, Emami East Bengal FC, Kerala Blasters, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Sporting Club Delhi, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Punjab FC, Inter Kashi, North East United FC, and Odisha FC. The AIFF’s ISL-co-ordination three-man committee has already met the clubs for more than a couple of times since last week. But no confirmation from the clubs has been made yet either on the format or the number of teams. All teams must have take part in 24 league matches in a season to earn an Asian spot. The AIFF is required to submit the result of these meetings to the Union Sports Ministry on 2nd January and the matter is expected to be discussed by Supreme Court after 5th January. The footballers’ contract and the season officially ends on 31st May!
Uncertainty over ISL future: Luna released by Blasters on loan!
It is the reflection of uncertainty over the ISL. Kerala Blasters has confirmed that it is releasing the team’s captain and one of the League’s most prominent strikers, Adrina Luna, on loan to an overseas club for the 2025-26 season! Blasters shared the news through a social media post where it confirmed that it was a mutually agreed arrangement between the player and the club. However, the ISL side didn’t confirm which team the Uruguayan midfielder will be joining. Luna joined Blasters in 2021 and has made 71 appearances across all competitions, scoring 15 goals. The ISL season, which typically begins in September, has been deferred, as the business model is still uncertain, following the expiry of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited. The uncertainty over the resumption of the League in the last few months has compelled a few high-profile exits, with FC Goa captain Borja Herrera leaving the club, saying that the situation made it ‘untenable’ for him to stay within Indian football. Bengaluru FC, meanwhile, has parted ways with both striker Edgar Mendez and manager Gerard Zaragoza during the delay in the season, while Odisha FC has parted with manager Sergio Lobera.
Ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand, Rishabh Pant fails in the Vijay Hazare!
India keeper Rishabh Pant, the center of attention ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home, managed just 24 runs as his Delhi side suffered a 79-run defeat to Odisha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy’s fourth-round Group-D match on Wednesday. The Delhi batting faltered, managing just 193 in 43.3 overs while chasing Odisha’s 272 for 8, and were all out despite the target being within reach. Delhi’s innings have largely been built around one solid batting performance so far this season. But the absence of one on Wednesday cost them not just the match but also their top position on the points table, which could come back to haunt them as the tournament progresses. It was also the first time so far this season that Delhi could not cross 200, something which looked so easy when Virat Kohli slammed a century against Andhra in the opener, and opener Priyansh Arya scored a fine 78 in the previous game against Saurashtra. Pant has so far scored only 5, 70, and 22 in the tournament. He was dismissed by pacer Debabrata Pradhan (3/28), who, along with young right-arm pacer Sambit Baral (3/34), hastened Delhi’s collapse.
Bengaluru FC’s Football Director expresses surprise with AIFF’s hurriedness over the ISL this season!
Bengaluru FC’s director of football, Darren Caldeira, pointed out the All India Football Federation’s hasty approach towards organizing a shortened version of the ISL for the 2025-26 season. Caldeira wrote on his X account, ‘While we all continue to work tirelessly towards a solution, asking clubs to commit to a league overnight despite there being limited clarity on commercial partners, broadcasters, AFC compliance, and costs incurred seems a bit rushed.’ He pointed out the lack of urgency shown by the AIFF over the past months. He added, “I do understand the time sensitivity, given that December has now passed. However, in that context, the sudden sense of urgency is a little unexpected, particularly given the absence of similar urgency over the past months.” The Federation had previously met with the clubs on 28th December to discuss a solution for the 2025-26 season, where the teams questioned whether India’s spots in Asia (continental competitions) would remain despite a shortened season. The AIFF has now asked for confirmation about the exact number of clubs that will play this season and the format, so that the quantity of matches per club can be ascertained. Satyanarayan, the deputy secretary general of AIFF, wrote a letter to all ISL clubs, requesting them to also confirm their preferred format in the league, so that the federation can request an exemption from the Asian Football Federation (AFC) accordingly. According to the AFC rulebook, a team must play a minimum of 24 matches to be eligible to participate in Asian competitions. However, a shortened season would mean there would be significantly fewer matches, and the AIFF would thus seek a special exemption from the AFC.
