AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey assures ISL will take place despite MRA uncertainty

FSDL has put the ISL 2025-26 season on hold.

Indian football fans faced uncertainty after the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) announced on July 11 that the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season was put on hold. This unexpected pause came amid unresolved talks over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between FSDL and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), which expires on December 8, 2025.

In the midst of this concern, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey stepped forward to reassure everyone connected to Indian football. He confirmed that the ISL 2025-26 season will take place, emphasising the urgency of reaching a solution.

“As AIFF president, I assure you that the league will take place,” Chaubey said. “But time is of the essence; there is an international calendar, FIFA windows, home and away matches, so time is a factor, ” Kalyan Chaubey told PTI.

He highlighted that the ISL is more than just a competition and that the federation is committed to doing its best to ensure the league happens on time.

“If the league doesn’t take place, it is not only footballers but the people who are associated with football who will be affected. It’s thousands of people who will be affected,” Chaubey added.

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

The Master Rights Agreement and its impact on ISL’s Future

The Master Rights Agreement, signed in 2010 for 15 years, gave FSDL exclusive rights to organise, commercialise, and broadcast the ISL. This agreement also guarantees an annual ₹50 crore payment to AIFF, a vital source of funds that supports the federation’s operations and Indian football development programs.

However, renewal discussions for this contract have reached a standstill. The Supreme Court of India has ordered AIFF not to negotiate any new terms with FSDL until the court delivers its verdict on the ongoing AIFF draft constitution case.

Adding to the complexity, FSDL has proposed a new profit-and-loss sharing model, moving away from guaranteeing the AIFF an annual sum and suggesting the formation of a holding company with ISL clubs owning 60%, FSDL 26%, and AIFF 14%. This marks a major shift from FSDL’s current centralized control and raises questions about financial stability for the federation. 

As a result, seven ISL clubs—including Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, and Mumbai City FC—have postponed pre-season training and withdrawn from the 2025 Durand Cup. Their concern centers around possible financial losses if the league fails to start on schedule.

AIFF upholds legal process, but pledges commitment

AIFF has acknowledged both the importance of ISL to Indian football and the challenges posed by this delay.

In a statement on July 12, the federation affirmed, “AIFF respects the law of the land and the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. We recognise the disruption’s challenges but remain committed to Indian football’s stakeholders.”

With the Supreme Court’s verdict expected soon, all eyes are now on a resolution that would allow the next ISL season to proceed as planned.

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