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AIFF to Run ISL 2025–26 With Start Dates Coming Next Week

The decision follows months of commercial deadlock over league rights.

Overview

  • The AIFF Emergency Committee accepted a coordination committee report and directed that the federation conduct the season, with kickoff dates to be announced next week.
  • Senior players led by Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan released a joint video urging FIFA and FIFPRO to intervene, warning of a governance failure and a wider crisis.
  • ISL clubs signaled conditional participation, seeking waiver of administration fees, AIFF coverage of operational costs and a clear roadmap for league finances and governance, including efforts to secure public funding.
  • The stalemate followed the expiry of the AIFFFSDL Master Rights Agreement on December 8, a Supreme Court-linked process and a court-supervised tender that drew no bidders.
  • With the season delayed, clubs say the 24-match requirement for AFC Champions League 2 eligibility cannot be met and have asked the AIFF to seek a one-time relaxation from the Asian Football Confederation.