As many as 11 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to apprise the Supreme Court about the uncertainty surrounding India’s top men’s league, saying that they are surprised it had not been done as yet.
The ISL clubs also asked the AIFF to inform the apex court about the uncertainties affecting Indian football, threatening the stability of the league and the welfare of stakeholders. Responding to the request, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said the federation would seek a legal opinion on the matter.
According to a joint letter sent by the clubs to Chaubey, the AIFF should “urgently” inform the Supreme Court about the irreversible damage that threatens Indian football because of the legal uncertainty and administrative vacuum caused by an observation from the court that no major decision can be taken till its verdict is announced. If the AIFF does not, the clubs would do so independently, the letter said. ISL winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal are not among the signatories.
The club have said that since the AIFF is the “statutory regulator of football in India” and the “principal party to the proceedings” in the Supreme Court, it can ensure the continuation of ISL and associated competitions by mentioning the matter for urgent listing and apprising the apex court of the current situation. “We believe such a step is both legally permissible and in the interest of safeguarding football, the AIFF’s own regulatory mandate and the welfare of all stakeholders involved,” the letter said. “We are, in fact, somewhat surprised that the matter has not already been brought to the court’s attention, given its gravity and implications for the sport,” it said.
The ISL clubs said they do not want to independently approach the Supreme Court because they are not a party in the case about the AIFF’s constitution, but they would if needed. “Should AIFF choose not to act, we reiterate that the ISL clubs will have no option but to seek judicial recourse independently to protect the integrity of the League and the interests of the sport,” they said in the letter.
The letter was sent a day after the AIFF and its commercial partners met representatives of all ISL clubs. After the meeting, Chaubey said at a press conference that the league would happen this season, though it could be delayed as the matter is in court. The AIFF proposed that the season should start with its cup competition, Super Cup, next month.
“I have received the letter and the AIFF will seek legal opinion on this. The AIFF will support the clubs if they move the Supreme Court for an early order or interim relief,” said Chaubey. He said the AIFF was concerned that the uncertainty over the league had led to layoffs and suspension of salaries at clubs. “I am told that nearly 5,000 families are affected directly or indirectly. The AIFF will do everything possible in its constitutional capacity to rectify the situation,” he assured.
Lack of clarity on the 2025-26 ISL season stems from the suspension of negotiations on a new agreement between the AIFF and its commercial partners following an oral observation by the Supreme Court in April that no major decisions would be taken till a final order is passed in the case on the AIFF’s constitution. The existing 15-year agreement ends on December 8, 2025.
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