Overview
- Thirteen of 14 clubs said they will play the delayed 2025–26 season only if the AIFF covers league-level organisational and operational costs and waives any participation fee, with Jamshedpur FC not among the signatories.
- Clubs demanded a time-bound roadmap detailing appointment of a commercial partner or broadcaster, revenue and governance structures, and risk-sharing terms consistent with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
- Teams urged the AIFF to seek commercial or institutional support from the Government of India to make the interim truncated season financially viable.
- The AIFF has proposed two shortened formats with a first-week-of-February start and asked clubs to confirm participation and format preferences by Jan. 1 so updates can be provided to the AFC, the Sports Ministry, and the Supreme Court.
- With the AFC’s 24-match minimum out of reach, clubs requested a one-time relaxation to preserve ACL 2 eligibility, a shortfall that could jeopardize slots such as FC Goa’s playoff berth; the Supreme Court reconvenes on Jan. 5 for potential filings.