AIFF releases official statement as ISL 2025–26 season officially put on hold amid MRA uncertainty

The MRA is set to expire on 8th December, 2025.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) have released a statement on the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL) being on hold due to the uncertainty surrounding the Master Rights Agreement (MRA).

The federation acknowledged FSDL’s decision to put the league on hold due to the lack of clarity surrounding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), which expires in December 2025.

According to the AIFF, it had initiated renewal talks with FSDL as early as November 21, 2024, with follow-up meetings held in February and March 2025. While FSDL submitted a proposal in March, the AIFF responded with a counteroffer in April.

However, following legal counsel, the federation paused further discussions after the Supreme Court, during an April 26 hearing, indicated that the MRA should not be renewed until a court decision is reached.

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Also Read: BREAKING: ISL 2025-26 season formally on hold; FSDL informs clubs & AIFF

What does the statement say?

“The AIFF has taken note of the communication issued pertaining to the Indian Super League (ISL), by our partners, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), stating their inability to proceed with the forthcoming season of the ISL in the absence of clarity on FSDL’s continuing rights under a renewed contractual framework,” the statement read.

“As per the Master Rights Agreement, the All India Football Federation had, in a timely manner, first initiated the process of requesting negotiations on the terms of a potential renewal with FSDL on November 21, 2024. Thereafter, senior representatives of the AIFF and FSDL convened meetings on February 5, 2025, in New Delhi and subsequently on March 5, 2025, in Mumbai, to discuss the terms of potential renewal of the Master Rights Agreement,” it added

“Following these deliberations, a proposal was submitted by FSDL on March 5, 2025, to which, AIFF responded with a counter-proposal on April 21, 2025.”

“Soon after, the AIFF was advised by its legal counsel that during a hearing on April 26, 2025, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India made an observation that the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement should not be done until its order.”

“Consequently, based on legal advice, discussions between the AIFF and FSDL, renewal discussions have been in abeyance pending further directions from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.”

“The AIFF is conscious of the importance of the ISL not only to the football structure in the country, but also to all the clubs, players, support staff, officials, and fans, and also recognises the challenges and difficulties posed due to its disruption. At the same time, AIFF respects the law of the land and the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.”

“The AIFF and its stakeholders will take all possible steps and do all things within their power to ensure continuity of the ISL in the best interests of Indian football. We request the understanding of all stakeholders in the interim,” it concluded.

Indian Super League 2025-26 put on hold

The Indian Super League’s 2025–26 season has been put on hold as uncertainty looms over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and FSDL.

The disruption stems from a Supreme Court directive that has barred the All India Football Federation (AIFF) from renegotiating the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) — the commercial partner running the ISL — until a verdict is reached on the AIFF’s draft constitution case.

With the current MRA set to expire on December 8, 2025, right in the middle of the usual September-to-April ISL season, FSDL has informed all clubs that it cannot proceed under the existing structure.

This development has prompted seven ISL clubs — including Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, and Mumbai City FC — to pull out of the Durand Cup 2025 and suspend their pre-season preparations, fearing major financial setbacks.

FSDL, in an email to clubs, stated that without clarity on the post-MRA framework, it cannot effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the upcoming season.

They had earlier floated a proposal to shift from a fixed-fee model to a profit-and-loss sharing structure, suggesting a new holding company where ISL clubs would own 60%, FSDL 26%, and AIFF 14%.

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