AIFF-FSDL-ISL Clubs meeting & press conference Highlights

Indian football stands at a pivotal juncture as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) prepares to host what is being seen as the sport’s most critical meeting in recent memory.

Scheduled for Thursday at Aerocity in New Delhi, the meeting will bring together AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, club CEOs from the Indian Super League (ISL), and representatives from Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the AIFF’s commercial partner.

This is the first time since ISL’s inception in 2014 that all major stakeholders — ISL clubs, AIFF, and FSDL — will be in the same room

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a press interaction following Thursday’s high-stakes meeting in New Delhi. President Kalyan Chaubey will face the media along with ISL club representatives. However, the clubs are unlikely to join the press meet.

🚨 Looks like AIFF did not consult ISL clubs before announcing that club representatives would attend the press conference after meeting.As of now, ISL clubs are unlikely to join the media interaction. #IndianFootball https://t.co/kTWghUgOL5

— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) August 7, 2025

Also Read: Chennaiyin FC suspend operations with immediate effect amid ISL uncertainty

What is the meeting about?

Tensions have been simmering for weeks. This meeting is a direct response to mounting pressure from clubs. Earlier, eight ISL clubs — Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Jamshedpur FC, Kerala Blasters, NorthEast United, Odisha FC, and Punjab FC- jointly wrote to the AIFF demanding clarity on the 2025–26 season. The absence of a defined roadmap had triggered widespread concern, especially regarding finances, scheduling, and legal standstills.

Since that letter, the AIFF reached out to the remaining five top-tier clubs, Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City FC, East Bengal, Chennaiyin FC, and Mohammedan SC, inviting them to the discussion. While almost all are expected to attend, Mohun Bagan remain the only club yet to confirm participation.

At the heart of the current turmoil lies the unresolved Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and FSDL. The legal stalemate stems from the ongoing Supreme Court case concerning the AIFF’s draft constitution. As per current restrictions, the federation cannot initiate new commercial negotiations — including the terms for the upcoming ISL season.

Legal deadlock around MRA freezes ISL operations

This deadlock has already triggered a domino effect. FSDL has reportedly informed clubs that it cannot proceed with planning the 2025–26 ISL season under the current legal environment. The result? Clubs like Chennaiyin FC have suspended all first-team operations, after Odisha FC and Bengaluru FC have relayed the same to players and staff.

Moreover, youth academies are inactive, scouting programs have been shelved, and national team preparation is in jeopardy.

What is at stake?

India’s senior men’s football team are due to play CAFA Nation Cup 2025 and Singapore in the all-important Asian Cup qualifiers in September and October. Yet, most players haven’t played competitive football in months.

Beyond just the operational freeze, FSDL’s proposed changes to the league’s financial model — including a profit-sharing structure and a new holding entity — are still on the table. However, those talks collapsed earlier this year due to the constitutional impasse.

With ISL clubs, the AIFF, and FSDL all now converging for the first time since those negotiations broke down, Thursday’s meeting offers a potential breakthrough.

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