Indian Footballers Urgently Call for Revival of ISL as Desperation Grows

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Indian football players have expressed their desperation for the Indian Super League (ISL) season to resume. They issued a joint statement urging administrators to restart the paused season.

This plea follows the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) announcement that no bids were received for the league's commercial rights after a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on October 16.

Star defender Sandesh Jhingan voiced his concerns, stating, "Where we are right now is not a delay anymore, it's a standstill for the coaches, fans, staff members, and players. We have worked too hard, sacrificed too much to let our season vanish in silence." He shared this message through a video on social media.

Players' United Front

National team players like goalkeeper Gurpreet Walia echoed similar sentiments. They emphasised their unity in wanting the ISL season to commence. Their statement highlighted their desperation to play the sport they love in front of their families and fans. The players stressed that their frustration has now turned into desperation.

The statement also called on football administrators to resolve the current crisis. It mentioned how top clubs like Mohun Bagan have halted training due to the uncertainty. The players urged those running the sport to take necessary actions to start the football season, emphasising India's need for competitive football.

Commercial Rights and Challenges

The AIFF faces challenges in securing a commercial framework for the ISL. The league was launched in 2014 with hopes of enhancing Indian football's profile and revenue. However, the failure to attract bidders raises questions about its commercial viability and AIFF's ability to monetise it after its partnership with Football Sports Development Limited ended.

The RFP included several key features such as waiving franchisee fees from the 2025-26 season, introducing a video support system and VAR, and implementing promotion and relegation from 2025-26 as per Supreme Court directives. The new partner would handle match production with at least 11 cameras, marketing, media rights sales, and grassroots investment distribution.

AIFF's Next Steps

The AIFF Bid Evaluation Committee, led by retired Justice Nageswara Rao, will report on the bid situation to the Supreme Court. The court is overseeing this process. The RFP required transparency in media rights allocation and adherence to a salary cap of Rs 18 crore per club starting from 2025-26.

The players remain committed and ready to play once given the green light. They ask those managing Indian football to match their desperation with genuine intent. "We've found ourselves in a very dark tunnel for long. We could do with a little light," they added.

With inputs from PTI