ISL players call out lack of priority on Indian football

Some of the well known ISL players have voiced their concerns recently.

An array of Indian Super League (ISL) players have intensified calls for urgent action to safeguard the future of domestic football following the GOAT India Tour 2025 event. Some of the familiar names from the top division of Indian football have urged fans and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to prioritise the long-term health of the sport amid continued uncertainty over league operations.

In a wave of social media statements and video messages, senior India defender Sandesh Jhingan and fellow ISL professionals Javier Siverio, Gaurav Bora, Tiri, Jayesh Rane and Aakash Sangwan voiced frustration over administrative paralysis. The words from these players serve as a warning that prolonged delays could inflict lasting damage on Indian football, both domestically and internationally.

Indian players are finally speaking their minds

Among the leading Indian voices from ISL, FC Goa defender Sandesh Jhingan questioned the logic behind heavy spending on short-term international spectacles like GOAT India Tour 2025 and ignoring the fragile state of the domestic footballing ecosystem.

India defender Sandesh Jhingan speaks up on the current state of Indian football, Lionel #Messi's #GOATIndiaTour and more as the domestic leagues stay on hold! #IndianFootball #ISL #IndianSuperLeague pic.twitter.com/9WShyaP0iT

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) December 18, 2025

While welcoming the recent surge in fan engagement and packed stadiums, he cautioned that Indian football and the ISL is facing one of its most difficult phases, with the future of domestic competitions hanging in the balance.

Another player who offered one of the starkest assessments was teammate Aakash Sangwan who said the prolonged pause has pushed stakeholders to the brink of massive loss. In a video message on Instagram, he said players and clubs have been waiting for clarity for months, but the further delays has only deepened frustration,, forcing many stakeholders to call it quits.

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A post shared by Aakash Sangwan (@aakashsangwan27)

Jamshedpur FC midfielder Jayesh Rane called for accountability, saying Indian football and the ISL need decisive action rather than statements. He urged the AIFF to address the root causes of the crisis and restore dignity to the domestic game while restarting the league with immediate effect.

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A post shared by JAYESH RANE (@jayeshrane16)

Mohammedan SC defender Gaurav Bora openly voiced his frustration on Instagram, putting up a story which read, “Someone’s 3-day tour equals to some country’s 3 years of running a football league. Priorities?”

ALSO READ: All Indian footballers who met Lionel Messi during GOAT India Tour 2025

International players echo the general sentiments

Spanish forward Javier Siverio echoed the same concern as Jhingan, writing that the potential suspension or disappearance of the ISL would hurt players, clubs, staff and families alike. He said the uncertainty is particularly painful because it stems not from results on the pitch, but from issues off it.

Veteran Mumbai City FC center back Tiri, reinforced similar themes, highlighting the need for transparency, timely decisions and respect for players while stating the difficulty in accepting the ongoing uncertainity.

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He stated, “I’ve lived in the good and the bad moments in India…always believing that football will continue. That’s why it’s difficult to accept the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL) and the future of the game in this country.”

Together, the players stressed that moments of national excitement around football must not come at the cost of neglecting its foundations. Their collective appeal reflects growing concern within the dressing room that without urgent, responsible leadership, Indian football risks losing hard-earned momentum built over the past decade.

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