New Delhi: Indian footballers have issued a united public appeal urging the revival of the Indian Super League after the AIFF announced that it received no bids for the league’s commercial rights following the October 16 Request for Proposal. The situation has left the upcoming season in limbo, prompting growing frustration among players, coaches and clubs.
In a video shared on social media, national team defender Sandesh Jhingan said the sport had reached a standstill rather than a delay, adding that the uncertainty was affecting everyone connected to the league. He said players had sacrificed too much to watch a season disappear without clarity.
Several other national team footballers, including goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu, released a joint statement expressing similar concerns. The players said they were coming together to send a clear message that they want the ISL season to begin immediately. They described the current moment as one filled with desperation to return to the pitch and compete in front of fans and families.
The statement appealed to the administrators of Indian football to resolve the crisis quickly, noting that the uncertainty had already forced major clubs such as Mohun Bagan to halt training. The players insisted they remain committed and ready to resume competition as soon as they receive the green light, urging officials to match their urgency with meaningful action.
The AIFF Bid Evaluation Committee, led by retired Justice Nageswara Rao and appointed by the Supreme Court, is preparing a report on the failed bidding process. The court is monitoring the matter closely.
Key features of the RFP included a waiver of franchise fees from the 2025-26 season, introduction of a video support system followed by VAR, and the implementation of promotion and relegation as ordered by the Supreme Court. The proposed commercial partner would have handled match production, media rights sales and grassroots funding, with seventy percent of the investment earmarked for ISL clubs.
The absence of bidders has raised concerns about the league’s commercial strength and the federation’s ability to secure a sustainable future for India’s top football competition, which began in 2014 with hopes of transforming the sport’s profile and financial foundation.
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