We are going through a crisis for which we are not responsible: AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey faces the music after ISL debacle

With ISL in limbo, the stakeholders are looking for a durable solution to get the season running.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey has admitted that the crisis that Indian Football finds itself in has been created by “some self-claimed reformers with vested interests”. On Sunday, Chaubey spoke to the media about the future of the premier footballing club competition in the country, the Indian Super League (ISL).

Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the financial partner of the AIFF in organising the ISL, on July 11, decided to put the 2025-26 season of the tournament “on hold” due to incongruencies in the renewal of the MRA (Master Rights Agreement) that had been signed with the AIFF in 2010.

In an interview with PTI, Chaubey said, “It is true Indian club football is going through a crisis for which WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. Some self-claimed reformers with vested interests have created this situationI believe, by the grace of God, we will collectively be able to tide over this crisis”.

Chaubey expresses surprise at receiving a letter from ISL clubs

Eleven out of the thirteen ISL clubs sent a letter to AIFF stating that they will have no choice but to seek judicial action if the current situation of Indian football is not brought to the attention of the Supreme Court, which already has a pending case on the constitution of the national federation.

The clubs that signed the letter were Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, Mohammedan SC, FC Goa, Punjab FC, NorthEast United FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Chennaiyin FC, Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC, and Jamshedpur FC.

“This matter was discussed in the meeting with all 13 club CEOs, therefore, receiving this letter from them within 24 hours was a surprise to us. This mode of communication could have been avoided. AIFF will do everything possible for the promotion and development of football, which includes ensuring match time for players,” Kalyan Chaubey stated.

AIFF wants to keep its options open, says Chaubey

The President was asked whether the AIFF could single-handedly host the ISL, without any assistance from FSDL. “All options are open,” he said, adding, “However, a collective agreement and subsequent decision by all stakeholders would be better.”

Chaubey also did not disregard the clubs’ request to move to the Supreme Court to resolve the issue.

“We are seeking legal advice on this possibility,” he said, adding, “After that, we may meet the clubs again, but that will be after August 17 only.” This is our third year in office as the AIFF Executive Committee, and for the first time, all club CEOs jointly met us. We welcomed them and discussed five important agendas that require immediate attention.”

On the positive impacts that the league has brought about for development of the sport in the country, the President said, “This league has brought significant changes to Indian football through huge investments in stadium infrastructure, field of play, player salaries, production and broadcasting, quality foreign expertise, international partnerships, and brand enhancement through the involvement of eminent personalities from cricket and the cinema industry.

I believe that if this investment continues, with a focus on systematic youth development, then in the next 10 years, the Indian national team’s ranking and performance can both improve.”

The 2024-25 season of the Indian Super League had started on 21st September, 2024. With the Durand Cup 2025, now in its knockout stages, teams are wary about assembling their squads with the future of the league cloudy. It remains to be seen how swiftly the AIFF act to resolve the issue and for the next edition of the ISL to kick off.

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