AIFF and FSDL hold talks in Bengaluru, joint proposal to be submitted before Supreme Court on August 28

On August 22 Supreme Court directed AIFF and FSDL to start MRA negotiations.

The uncertainty surrounding Indian football took a step towards resolution on Monday, August 24 as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) met in Bengaluru.

Acting on the Supreme Court’s directive following the hearing on August 22, the two parties discussed the way forward for the upcoming 2025–26 season. In a joint statement, AIFF and FSDL said the meeting was held in a “constructive and positive spirit” and that both sides are confident of finalising a proposal that supports the long-term growth of Indian football.

Also Read: Supreme Court approves MRA negotiations between AIFF-FSDL; next hearing on August 28

The proposal will be placed before the Supreme Court on August 28, when the matter comes up for hearing again. Both parties have decided not to comment further while the issue remains sub judice.

“As directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, representatives of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) met on Monday, August 25, 2025, to deliberate on the way forward for the 2025–26 football season.

Both parties approached the discussions in a constructive and positive spirit and expressed confidence in arriving at a mutually agreed proposal that will ensure the continued development and progress of football in India.

The joint proposal will be submitted before the Hon’ble Supreme Court on August 28. The parties will make no further comments while the matter is sub-judice,” the statement from AIFF read.

What happened during the Supreme Court hearing on 22?

The Supreme Court, on Friday, permitted the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) to resume negotiations on the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), which expires on December 8, 2025. Earlier this year, the court had restricted AIFF from making major decisions, stalling talks with FSDL.

During the hearing, FSDL emphasized that running a league requires long-term planning, not year-to-year uncertainty. They highlighted the need for a defined tenure to manage logistics, infrastructure, and financial commitments, while reaffirming their willingness to invest further. Justice Narsimha acknowledged FSDL’s contributions, praising their role in building goodwill for Indian football, and urged them to work with AIFF to open a “new chapter” for the sport.

The Amicus Curiae, however, reminded the bench that the crisis is affecting players, many of whom haven’t received salaries for over a month. Meanwhile, counsels representing Bhaichung Bhutia and Shaji Prabhakaran stressed the urgency of clarity, as clubs cannot complete transfers with the FIFA window closing on August 31. Taking note of the situation, the court directed AIFF and FSDL to make progress within six days and scheduled the next hearing on August 28.

“For the goodwill that you have created over so many years, and we are very positive that we are opening a new chapter for sports, and I think your contributions will be very, very substantial. So you work on it, sit with them (AIFF).” Justice Narasimha stated

I-League clubs demand promotion-relegation to be included in MRA

I-League clubs are preparing to write to Amicus Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Samar Bansal, seeking representation of their issues in the ongoing AIFF–FSDL dispute. The letter, which Khel Now has accessed, carries the names of 10 I-League clubs, including newly promoted Diamond Harbour FC and Chanmari FC, although only one club has signed it so far.

The I-League clubs fear that the negotiations might result in AIFF diluting the AFC Roadmap, agreed in 2019, which mandated a promotion and relegation system between the ISL and I-League. They argue that any deviation would turn the ISL into a closed league, undermining fair competition and discouraging investment.

Reiterating their stance, the clubs stressed that a merit-based pathway is essential for Indian football’s growth, ensuring that I-League teams have genuine opportunities to progress.

It must be recalled that the AFC Roadmap, jointly finalized with the AIFF in 2019, clearly envisaged the implementation of a promotion and relegation system between the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. Any deviation from this agreed framework would risk turning the ISL into a closed league, contrary to the principles of fair competition.

The absence of a merit-based pathway for I-League clubs to achieve promotion into the ISL would not only undermine the competitive spirit of the football pyramid in India but also demotivate I-League clubs from further investment and professional development”, the letter form clubs to Amicus reads.

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