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AIFF to Run 2025–26 ISL, Start Date to Be Announced Next Week

The decision follows a rights impasse that stalled the league, leaving finances, format, AFC eligibility unresolved.

Overview

  • AIFF’s Emergency Committee acknowledged a coordination panel’s report and recommended the federation conduct the ISL, with the commencement date to be released next week.
  • Senior players including Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan issued a joint video urging FIFA and FIFPRO to intervene in what they called a governance paralysis.
  • Thirteen of 14 clubs signalled conditional participation, seeking no administration fee and AIFF assumption of organisational and operational costs for a shortened season.
  • Short‑term measures under discussion, as reported, include AIFF covering refereeing and broadcast production, a proposed Rs 1 crore participation fee with possible deferral, and a reduced single‑leg or centralised format.
  • With the delayed season unlikely to meet the AFC’s 24‑match threshold, clubs want the AIFF to request a one‑time relaxation to preserve continental eligibility.