Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Former India international and current Chennaiyin FC player Mandar Rao Dessai has called on football fans and officials to take urgent action to save Indian football from what he describes as an “existential crisis.”
The 33-year-old Goan footballer took to Instagram to express his frustration over the ongoing delay in the start of the Indian Super League (ISL) season. In his post, Mandar appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and other authorities to bring clarity and find a quick solution to the growing uncertainty.
Mandar, along with several other national and ISL players, voiced serious concerns about the future of the league, which has yet to receive an official start date.
In his statement on instagram, Mandar wrote:
“We, professional footballers who play in the Indian Super League, are coming together to make a plea, and more importantly to send the message that we stand united in our efforts to get the Indian Super League season underway. To put it simply, we want to play, and now.
Our anger, frustration and distress have now been replaced by desperation desperation to play the game we love, in front of the people who mean everything to us our families, our fans.
This is a plea to all those involved in running our sport in the country to do whatever it takes to get the football season underway. India needs its competitive football now more than ever.
We remain committed, professional and ready to walk out of that tunnel and onto the pitch the moment we’re told we can. All we ask is for honest intent from those running our beautiful game. We’ve been in a dark tunnel for too long we could do with a little light.”
Mandar’s comments come amid rising anger among fans and players over the AIFF’s handling of the ISL’s future. The main controversy began after the federation’s tender process for broadcast, sponsorship, and digital rights of the league ended without a single successful bid. The failed process, which was expected to bring stability and transparency to the ISL’s next phase, has instead created more confusion.
With no updates from the AIFF, concerns are growing about the league’s immediate future. What was once seen as a major step forward for Indian football has now hit a standstill.
Senior players like Mandar have urged the federation to act quickly and protect the sport’s credibility. If the situation continues, experts warn that the ISL’s long-term survival and the careers of hundreds of Indian footballers could be at serious risk.
