AIFF disappointed with a few ‘clubs’ intrigues! Clubs to be relegated to lower division on refusal!
Sudeep Pakrashi: The All India Football Federation-appointed three-man committee, which has taken the initiative for the resumption of the stagnated ISL this season, offering them proposals in more than a couple of meetings since last week, is extremely disappointed with a few clubs’ intrigue to extend the delay so that ISL does not resume this season! In reply to AIFF Deputy General Secretary Satyanarayan’s letter to the clubs, seeking their confirmation about the participation in the League, Sporting Club Delhi sent a reply email, mentioning that on behalf of all the 13 clubs, they seek clarification on five specific points before confirming the participation in the ISL this season. Among the five specific clarifications, the reply emphasized the AIFF’s financial contribution to the League, as it is their property. Secondly, the reply email pointed out that there was no participation fee to be paid to the AIFF in the League, and the third point, mentioned in the reply, was the requirement of government support, which could minimize the participating clubs’ expenditure to stage their respective home matches. It is believed that AIFF is ready to reveal its financial contribution to the League along with the clubs. Even if the Federation seems willing to break its Fixed Deposit and contribute to the League. But only after the clubs confirm their participation in the League, as two centralized venues have been initially decided to stage the league this season. More significantly, even though Sporting Delhi FC’s reply-email was sent, mentioning on behalf of all 13 clubs, it is learnt that at least eight among the 13 clubs, including NorthEast United FC, Inter Kashi, FC Goa, do not agree with Sporting Club Delhi FC’s reply-email and they want to take part in the League along with Jamshedpur FC who already have expressed willingness to participate in the League in a new model this season. One of the top AIFF officials, when asked about the issue, revealed on condition of anonymity, “Only a few, four to five clubs are making this plotting game. They do not want the ISL to be resumed. The AIFF has been criticized constantly throughout the whole episode. But we have created a platform for them through a model where ISL can be resumed. AIFF is ready to announce its financial contribution. But unless the confirmation about participation is there, we cannot reveal.” At the same time, AIFF has also initiated the primary discussions with the state governments, where two centralised venues have been proposed. AIFF seems optimistic about the respective state governments’ co-operation by providing stadiums, free of cost, and a few other logistical supports. It is learnt that the three-man committee, in its report, submitted to the AIFF top brass after observations and recommendations, has mentrioned AIFF should bear the cost of refereeing and broadcast production, while Clubs should organise home matches as they had done in previous editions. Secondly, the AIFF should levy a participation fee of ₹1 crore per Club. The commencement date of the ISL will be announced as early as possible. The AIFF should finalise the short-term competition format in consultation with the Clubs, and in the absence of consensus, the league owner is to finalise the format without permitting further delay or digression. Any Club refusing to participate should be disqualified and relegated to the immediate lower division. The league commencement date should be declared without any further delay. The Committee also presents, apart from the above modality, another proposal listed below after the conclusion, in the interest of kick-starting the 2025-26 league as early as possible.
Gill misses the Punjab match in VHT due to food poisoning
India cricket team star Shubman Gill was compelled to miss the 5th round match of Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Sikkim on Saturday. The batsman, who was supposed to participate in a couple of VHT matches before linking up with the Indian side ahead of India’s three-match ODI series, was diagnosed with food poisoning on Friday after he arrived in Jaipur to take part in the match. The Indian captain is expected to feature in just one match against Goa on 6th January before the series. The report claims that the decision to rest the Punjab batter was taken after consultation between doctors and team management. The report states that the decision was also taken keeping in mind the India-New Zealand ODI series, which will begin on 11th January and will see Gill lead the Indian team. Shubman hasn’t been in good form, both physically and with the bat, over the past few months. He suffered a neck injury during India’s first Test against South Africa in Kolkata that forced him to miss not just the 2nd Test but also the ODI series against South Africa. He then returned to action in the T-20 International series against South Africa. However, Gill picked up a foot injury towards the end of the series.
BCCI instructs, KKR releases Mustafizur!
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman after receiving the instruction to do the same from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). KKR purchased the 30-year-old fast bowler for Rs 9.5 crore in the auction ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in December. “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI, as the regulator of IPL, has instructed the franchise to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season,” said KKR in a statement that came shortly after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced communicating the instruction to the three-time IPL champions. “The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course.” Saikia had earlier said that the BCCI had told KKR to release Mustafizur “due to ongoing political and social chaos where several Hindus are being tortured and even murdered, and as its aftermath, several religious organizations in India started warning the BCCI that they create chaos over the venues for the IPL if Mustafizur is seen in action in the IPL.
After Luna, Noah Sadaoui leaves Kerala Blasters, also due to uncertainty over the ISL
After the team’s captain, Adrian Luna, Moroccan winger Noah Sadaoui has also left Kerala Blasters due to the ongoing uncertainty over the resumption of the ISL this year. It is believed that a premier Indonesian club has roped in the 32-year-old striker for the current season. Noah joined KBFC from FC Goa in 2024. He played 19 matches across all competitions for the Blasters and scored seven goals. FC Goa captain Borja Herrera left the club last week, saying that the situation made it ‘untenable’ for him to stay within Indian football. Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC has parted ways with both striker Edgar Mendez and manager Gerard Zaragoza during the delay in the season. At the same time, Odisha FC has also split with manager Sergio Lobera. Chennaiyin FC competed in the AIFF Super Cup 2025 without any overseas players despite having two players, Daniel Chima Chukwu and Elsinho in its books. We would like to thank Noah for two special seasons as he heads abroad on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, as posted by Kerala Blasters on their social media account.
