11 ISL clubs write joint letter to Amici Curiae ahead of Supreme Court hearing on 22 August

11 top division clubs write to Amici Curiae for intervention

Ahead of the court hearing on August 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM, 11 ISL clubs (JamshedpurFC, Kerala Blasters FC, Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC, Hyderabad FC, FC Goa, NorthEastUnited FC, Punjab FC, Mumbai City FC, Mohammedan SC, and Bengaluru FC) have written a joint letter to Amici Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Samar Bansal.

The letter reads:

“At the outset, we respectfully state that the clubs are not parties to the proceedings pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. However, given that the football clubs (across the entire pyramid), their players, employees, and stakeholders are the most directly and immediately affected by the current standstill in Indian football, we have no option but to approach your good selves, as officers of the Hon’ble Court, to humbly request that our concerns be placed before the Ld. Bench.”

The letter also states that “The present uncertainty not only endangers the ISL but also risks destabilising the I-League, youth leagues, and other football competitions, which are interlinked through scheduling, resource allocation, and player development.”

While also emphasising the fact that the season is planned well in advance in accordance to the FIFA windows, 6-8 pre-season camp, logistical arrangements, commercial partners for broadcasting and sponsorships alongside the international match calendar to ensure release of players for national team duties.

Master Rights Agreement (MRA) deadlock

The letter also claims that the deadlock has indirectly arisen because there is a verbal stay/injunction on any discussions in relation to the MRA, effective April 30, 2025.

“As matters stand, there is no certainty beyond 8 December 2025, when the current commercial partner demits its term. At that point in the calendar, ordinarily less than a quarter of the season would have been completed, leaving the league and, by extension, the wider pyramid in complete limbo.”

Direct consequences of the impass

The letter lists the following as the direct consequences of the impass:

• Impact on Club Revenues
• Impact on Clubs and Livelihoods
• National Team Preparedness
• Regulatory Risks
• Collapse of Confidence

Past investment

Once again emphasising the fact that a league of the stature of the ISL requires enormous planning and organisation annually, the letter reads:

“Over the past 11 years, under delegation from the AIFF, FSDL has mobilised and facilitated commercial revenues exceeding ₹2,000 crores from broadcasting and sponsorships, enabling the ISL to be broadcast globally and reach a cumulative audience of millions of viewers annually.

The ISL clubs have invested hundreds of crores of rupees into youth academies, training facilities, stadium upgrades, and professional squads, creating a robust footballing structure unprecedented in Indian history.

The ISL now sustains the majority of professional football players in India, providing more than 400 full-time player contracts annually, besides developmental pathways for youth and grassroots players.”

All 11 clubs acknowledge the fact that the proceedings before the Hon’ble Court are aimed at strengthening the governance of Indian football and that they fully support this process, which will be beneficial for Indian Football in the long term.

But the letter further adds “the loss of even a single ISL season would have catastrophic and irreversible consequences for Indian football as a whole — including the well-being of the players and staff associated with the sport, the professional league structure including the I-League and lower divisions, grassroots academies, and other football competitions — all of which depend on the stability of the top-tier competition.”

Requests to Amici Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Samar Bansal

The letter requests Amici Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Samar Bansal to kindly place before the Hon’ble Bench:

“The urgency of pronouncing judgment at the earliest, given the football calendar is at a standstill across the pyramid;

That any consequential directions flowing from the judgment be directed to be completed in a time-bound (15–30 days), to restore certainty at the earliest to the ecosystem; and

In the event that the present proceedings are to go on beyond August 22, 2025, the processes related to conducting the leagues and any ancillary operations may be allowed and expedited so that a long-term constructive solution for all parties may be obtained at the earliest.”

While also requesting for a meet or confer at the offices of the Amici “to provide a more detailed explanation of the Indian Football calendar”.

Final thoughts

“We understand similar concerns are shared by clubs, players and staff across the Indian footballing ecosystem, as the prevailing uncertainty impacts not only us at the top of the pyramid but often impacts even more unequally clubs, players and staff at the other end of the pyramid.

Therefore, in the interest of all players, staff, clubs and anyone who is dependent on Indian football for their livelihoods, we would request that the Hon’le Court be apprised of the current situation, and we hope that a positive and working solution could be found for everyone and for the long-term progress of Indian football.”

“It is our humble submission that the practical intricacies of the calendar and the grave difficulties faced by stakeholders have not yet been fully placed before the Hon’ble Bench. Our sole intent in submitting this representation is that the immediacy of the crisis may be brought to the kind attention of the Ld. Judges, so that the proceedings may be concluded without delay and the possibility of further adjournments avoided.”

Current situation so far

During the last hearing on August 18, Justice Narasimha informed that the AIFF constitution judgment is nearly complete, noting alignment with the new National Sports Bill.

Amici raised concerns over unpaid players, stalled league football, and the AIFF–FSDL Master Rights Agreement expiring on 8 December 2025, which threatens ISL operations mid-season. Justice Narasimha also stated that the Court would pronounce its decision before December 8. 

Amicus Gopal Sankaranarayanan accused FSDL of not fulfilling commitments and urged the Court to enforce or terminate the deal. With time running out, the Court set the next hearing for 22 August 2025.

While trust between AIFF & ISL clubs is at an all-time low. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey’s recent U-turn on the promise of the federation would assist in presenting the matter to the Court has only added to the fire.

On the other hand, the global players’ union FIFPRO have written to FIFA, calling the situation “alarming,” highlighting reports of contracts being suspended until further notice.

The federation’s silence has already stalled pre-seasons, blocked payments, and cast doubt over whether a new ISL campaign will even take place. Players remain unpaid, staff are uncertain, and the livelihoods of over 5,000 people hang in the balance.

The ISL’s future also rests on the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). Signed in 2010, the deal underpins the league’s commercial and operational framework but expires in December 2025. FSDL has already stepped away from committing to a new season unless a long-term renewal is secured. With the Supreme Court restricting the apex football body from making major decisions until the Draft Constitution is finalised, the logjam only worsens.

More to follow.

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