Overview
- Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan and others issued a coordinated video plea urging FIFA to restart Indian football and safeguard players, staff and fans.
- The players state the All India Football Federation is no longer able to fulfill its responsibilities and warn that the sport faces "permanent paralysis."
- The Indian Super League has been on hold since September after organizers failed to secure a commercial partner, leaving no start date and stalling operations and contracts.
- Investor exits have added pressure, with City Football Group ending its association with Mumbai City FC and reports indicating Odisha is considering leaving the league.
- Separately, 13 of 14 ISL clubs told the AIFF they could participate in a truncated 2025–26 season if participation fees are waived, operational costs are covered and a clear roadmap is provided.