Odisha FC confirms participation; Four Clubs reportedly plan to select a neutral venue!
Odisha FC has confirmed its participation in the ISL this season, which means all the 14 clubs have given consent to take part in the shorter format of the League. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has already announced that the ISL will start on 14th February. It has also been heard that now the clubs that have given consent are in a discussion process on venues. A few clubs want to play away, while some clubs are reportedly preferring to play home venues only. Mohammedan Sporting has confirmed Kishore Bharati Krirangan as their home venue, but it remains to be seen how many matches they will actually play there. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giants have already confirmed that they want to play at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Four clubs that have given consents have reportedly revealed in the last meeting that they lack proper venues to play home matches. It is heard that these four clubs will be choosing a neutral venue to take part in their home matches. It is believed that the debutant in the ISL, Inter Kashi, has chosen Kalyani Stadium or Barasat Stadium as the venue to play their home matches.
Bengaluru FC owner urges ‘financial sacrifice’ from players to support ISL resumption!
Bengaluru FC owner has sought ‘sacrifice’ from Bengaluru FC footballers, including the iconic Sunil Chhetri! The club owner has mentioned that the resumption of the league will not be viable without “sacrifice” from the players. The Indian Super League is set to return to action next month, on 14th February, and it will be organised by the All India Football Federation. Parth Jindal, the club owner, has made a kind of dictum that players will need to “make sacrifices” in order to bear the “financial burden” that clubs will have to shoulder in order to get the Indian top-flight competition up and running next month. Jindal, however, did not specify what kind of sacrifice he was expecting from players for the upcoming season. It was implied that players – including iconic forward Sunil Chhetri and star goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – would have to take a pay cut, the club would have to “shut shop for good. “Tremendous sacrifice from all clubs is being asked for to play the ISL in its current format. Repercussions if we don’t have a league are very worrying,” Jindal wrote on ‘X’. “Truly hope the players understand the additional financial burden on the clubs and agree to also sacrifice as we are all in this together. We are in this for the love of football and to see our country play the beautiful game and be good at it.” Meanwhile, it is learnt that East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting will be playing their home matches of the ISL this season in Kolkata. All the three Kolkata giants will be able to gather more revenue from gate-sale if their respective home-matches take place at Yuba Bharati Kriranghan. Significantly, the AIFF has also sent a letter to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), seeking slot for participation in the AFC Champions League qualifiers. The AIFF has reportedly mentioned that each team will get scope of taking part in 13 matches in the ISL and each of them has participated in three matches in the Super Cup this season already. So, AIFF wants AFC slots for the teams who all will be playing 16 matches this season.
ISL to start on 14th February with the ‘single-leg’ format; Prize money fixed at Rs 5.82 crore!
The stalemate of the last six months in the Indian Super League (ISL) finally ended with the Sports Ministry, All-India Football Federation, and representatives from 14 ISL clubs meeting in New Delhi. The ISL this season will start from 14th February and will be played in single leg home and away format. Although, Goa and Bengal were two tentative names to be chosen as venues for the ISL, it is learnt that venue has not yet been finalized. It will be selected depending on where the budget can be restrained. “Due to a court dispute, there was a lot of uncertainty about the League, but today the government and AIFF, along with club representatives of all 14 clubs, have decided to start the league again,” Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya briefed the reporters on Tuesday. The club representatives were present from all 14 clubs: Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammaden FC, Inter Kashi FC, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, SC Delhi, Bengaluru FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC, Kerala Blasters, and FC Goa. Last week, in an official statement, the AIFF said the Emergency Committee met on 3rd January to consider and acknowledge the report submitted by the AIFF-ISL Coordination Committee. The Coordination Committee was formed on December 20, 2025, after discussions held during the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent Annual General Meeting. Earlier, in AIFF’s emergent executive committee meeting, held virtually on Tuesday morning, it was decided that the AIFF would contribute Rs 10.3 crores, amidst the approximate budget of Rs 40 crore, to conduct the League this season. The executive committee also heard an assurance from the Federation’s top brass about finding a ‘new investor’ who could come forward with financial support from the next season. The AIFF top brass also revealed in the meeting that talks are already on with a couple of broadcasting companies, including Doordarshan. Still, the most concerning part is the production and broadcasting of the IUSL this season. The AIFF has reportedly earmarked only Rs 9.77 crore for production and transmission under the lower-cost option. In recent seasons, broadcast and transmission-related expenses reached around Rs 70 crore per season. Such a drastic reduction points to a visible dip in production quality, which could directly affect broadcaster interest and, in turn, sponsorship value. Prize money has been fixed at Rs 5.82 crore, while governance, refereeing, digital marketing and legal expenses account for the remaining outlay. There is no allocation for youth leagues or parachute payments.
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.
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.
Players appeal to FIFA to step in and save Indian football!
A group of country’s leading footballers have released a video titled ‘Save Indian Football’, highlighting the miserable state of the sport in the country at the moment. Significantly, through their video that has already gone viral, the footballers have also made appeal to the world football’s ruling body FIFA and the association of world footballers’ association, FIPRPO, requesting their intervention to save Indian football from its present deplorable condition. The ISL, which ideally should have begun last September, is yet to kick off due to the lack of a commercial partner for the league. “It’s January, and we should be on your screens as part of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League. Instead, here we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud something that we all know. But more importantly, we are here to make a plea. The Indian football government can no longer fulfill its responsibilities. “We are now staring at permanent paralysis. This is a last-ditch effort to save what we can. So, we are calling FIFA to step in and do what it takes to save Indian football. We hope this message gets to the powers that are in Zurich. “This call is not political. It is not driven by confrontation, but by necessity. It might sound like a big word, but the truth is that we are facing a humanitarian, economic, and sporting crisis. Of course, we need rescuing at the earliest. “Players, staff, owners, and fans deserve clarity, protection, and, more importantly, a future. We just want to play football, please help us do it,” said the video, which features Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Suresh Singh Wangjam, and Amrinder Singh among Indian footballers, while Carlos Delgado, Hugo Bumous, and Michel Zabaco are the overseas players who have spoken out. The letter sent to the AIFF-appointed three-man committee on behalf of the clubs has stated that the AIFF should take up the financial responsibility for organizing the league in the absence of a commercial partner. The clubs said they are open to a meeting on January 3 to follow up on the matter.
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.
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.
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.
