Government steps in; stakeholders urged to break ISL deadlock within next two weeks by SC

The Supreme Court will reassemble before December 8.

The Indian football crisis reached the doorstep of the Supreme Court once again, this time with the government also being a stakeholder. There is chaos around the future of the Indian Super League (ISL), with no bidder showing up for the commercial rights of the league.

The Supreme Court monitored the matter today after Justice (Retd.) L. Nageswara Rao submitted his report following the All India Football Federation’s failure to attract any bids. The apex court heard all the stakeholders involved and instructed them to find a way forward within two weeks based on Justice Rao’s report.

Government steps in to mediate ISL chaos

After the representative of the I-league clubs met with the Sports Minister, the government also decided to intervene and help break the stalemate. Tushar Mehta, the Solicitor General of India, represented the government and expressed the government’s willingness to take necessary steps to bring Indian Football back on track.

Mehta informed the court, “I had a word with the minister concerned. He was fully aware of this issue, and he assured me that ISL must be held. How it is to be held, what sponsors, who will finance, it can be left to the government. The government would intervene to ensure that the ISL is held and our players are not put to any disadvantage.”

The Solicitor General also highlighted that the Government is willing to take any steps required to break this deadlock, but those steps will be ‘in conformity’ with the FIFA Regulations.

The clubs were also part of the hearing, and they were represented by Kapil Sibal. This comes after a representation was submitted by the captains of all the Indian Super League clubs, highlighting the pressing issues faced by the players, coaching staff and all the professionals involved in the Indian Super League ecosystem.

The government, clubs, and the Amicus Curiae were on the same page that this crisis cannot persist, as the livelihoods of players and other professionals are at stake. The Amicus Curiae mentioned to the Court that many Indian Super League clubs have halted the player salaries, which is reflective of the looming disaster. However, only Odisha FC is known to have taken such a step.

Also Read: Why the ISL tender failed: Key findings from AIFF-KPMG & Justice L. Nageswara Rao’s report to the Supreme Court

Future of lower divison leagues

This crisis is not only restricted to the future of the Indian Super League, but lower division leagues like the I-League have also not started and are struggling for survival. The counsel representing the I-League clubs reminded the court that the stakeholders should come up with a solution for the future of lower division leagues as well.

The court assured that a holistic approach will be taken, and the roadmap will also factor in the future of lower division leagues.

Adoption of new constitution

The adoption of the new constitution was also one of the issues that were raised in the hearing. Rahul Mehra, one of the parties involved in the litigation of the AIFF constitution, requested the Court to instruct the federation to adopt the new constitution in the next general body meeting scheduled on the 24th of November.

Reminding the clubs and the court, Mehra highlighted that the provision of promotion and relegation emanates from FIFA Regulations only. According to him, the adoption of a new constitution is mandatory to fall in line with FIFA Regulations as all these provisions are enshrined in the new constitution.

The court did not dictate to the federation the timeline for the adoption and opted to focus primarily on finding the solution to the roadblock that the Indian Super League is facing following the failure of AIFF to attract any bids for the commercial rights.

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