New Delhi: Indian football finds itself at a critical crossroads, with uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League casting a long shadow over the sport. As January passes without clarity on whether the country’s premier football competition will even take place, leading Indian players have made a rare and urgent appeal to FIFA, calling for immediate intervention to prevent what they describe as a looming collapse.
Senior national team figures including Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan joined other players in a public message highlighting the growing anxiety within the football community. They pointed out that this is usually the time when fans expect competitive football action, yet players, staff and clubs remain in limbo. The appeal stressed that the crisis has created fear and desperation across the ecosystem, affecting livelihoods and the future of the game.
The players said the national governing body is currently unable to discharge its responsibilities effectively, warning that the sport is heading towards permanent paralysis if corrective action is not taken. They described the situation as not just a sporting issue, but a humanitarian and economic one, urging FIFA to step in and safeguard the interests of footballers, clubs and supporters. Emphasising that the appeal is not political, the players said their only wish is to be allowed to play the game professionally and with dignity.
Amid the turmoil, the All India Football Federation has received communication from most Indian Super League clubs indicating a willingness to participate in the 2025–26 season. However, their involvement is subject to firm financial and governance assurances. Clubs have sought clarity on the absence of league administration fees and have asked the federation to take responsibility for operational losses arising from shortened seasons.
The clubs have also demanded a clearly defined roadmap for improving the league’s financial and governance framework, along with efforts to secure government support. These developments come at a time when confidence in the league has already been shaken, highlighted by City Football Group’s exit from Mumbai City FC after a six year association that had significantly raised the club’s standards and profile.
With players now directly appealing to world football’s highest authority, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether Indian football can stabilise itself or slide deeper into uncertainty.
