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: 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!