Chennaiyin FC suspend operations with immediate effect amid ISL uncertainty

The decision comes in the wake of persistent chaos over the future of ISL and the deadlock between the stakeholders.

Two-time ISL Cup winners Chennaiyin FC have decided to suspend football operations with immediate effect, and all those involved with the club have been informed of the same.

The club has followed suit as Odisha FC and Bengaluru FC recently took similar drastic steps amidst the ongoing turmoil in Indian Football related to the future of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The club has made it clear that the salaries owed to the players and staff will be placed on hold during the period of the suspension.

“After over a decade of smoothly operating the club and having tied through the COVID-19 pandemic and the floods in Chennai, collectively as a team, this is not something we ever anticipated; however, the situation is beyond our control and has resulted in it becoming impossible to carry on activities of the club,” the mail from Chennaiyin FC CEO Ekansh Gupta read.

Chennaiyin FC in contact with FSDL and AIFF

However, the club has assured that it is in constant touch with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the body that runs the ISL.

The club statement read, “all clubs are constantly in touch with both FSDL and AIFF, to keep us apprised on any developments, hoping that the impasse will be resolved sooner (rather) than later, and we are also keeping an eye on the SC’s listing of the AIFF matter.”

Earlier, due to the impasse and uncertainty over the commencement of the season, Chennaiyin FC could not start the preparation, and there has been no activity at the club’s end. This inability to get things running was a fair indication that a step of this nature was in the offing. Unfortunately, the Blues from Chennai might not be the last one to announce such catastrophic measures, with other clubs also expected to succumb.

All eyes on meeting between AIFF and club CEOs ]

AIFF and CEOs of ISL clubs, including Chennaiyin FC, are scheduled to meet tomorrow in Delhi to discuss the uncertainty over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) and the Supreme Court’s anticipated move.

Earlier, eight ISL clubs had issued a strong collective message to AIFF, urging the apex administrative body to take the clubs into confidence and clear the air. Taking note of that request, AIFF called those clubs to a meeting, which will be joined by the remaining clubs as well.

Fans will be keeping a close track of this crucial meeting, as both fans and clubs expect the ambiguity to dissipate.

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