ISL crisis: No headway in meeting between AIFF and FSDL - Joint proposal to be submitted on August 28

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on Monday held discussions, as directed by the Supreme Court, to determine the path forward for the 2025-26 football season. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, AIFF said both parties “approached the discussions in a constructive and positive spirit and expressed confidence in arriving at a mutually agreed proposal that will ensure the continued development and progress of football in India.” The outcome of the talks will now be placed before the Supreme Court on August 28. “The joint proposal will be submitted before the Hon’ble Supreme Court on August 28. The parties will make no further comments while the matter is sub-judice,” the statement added. The Supreme Court had last week permitted AIFF and FSDL - the organisers of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the federation’s commercial partner - to engage in discussions over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), which is due to expire on December 8, 2025. The directive came after the ISL’s 2025-26 season was put “on hold” by FSDL on July 11, triggering uncertainty among clubs, players and officials. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey had earlier said, “Pursuant to the proceedings in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India this afternoon, the AIFF will enter into good faith negotiations with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) in respect of the Master Rights Agreement that is set to expire on December 8, 2025. The parties will endeavour to arrive at mutually agreeable measures to enable timely commencement of the 2025-26 football calendar.” The deadlock had forced at least three clubs to suspend player and staff payments, while 11 ISL teams, including Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC, wrote to the apex court’s amicus curiae highlighting the “existential crisis” they face. The MRA, signed in 2010, grants AIFF an annual sum of ₹50 crore from FSDL. However, the federation has been barred from negotiating new terms until the court delivers its judgment in the pending draft constitution case. With the matter now back before the bench on August 28, the immediate future of Indian football remains tied to the court’s directions.