New Delhi: The Indian Super League (ISL) is set to return on February 14, with all 14 clubs participating, following a pause due to the absence of a commercial partner. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the resumption on Tuesday, bringing clarity after months of speculation surrounding the nation’s top-flight football league.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that the 14 teams will compete in a single-leg round-robin format. The participating clubs are Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan FC, Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, SC Delhi, Bengaluru FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC, Mumbai City FC, and Inter Kashi. Detailed fixtures will be released after further consultation with the clubs.
The league will feature 91 matches played on a home-and-away basis, with logistics still being finalised. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey noted that a Rs 25 crore central fund has been created specifically for the ISL. In the absence of a commercial partner, AIFF will contribute 10 percent of the fund, with the remaining 30 percent, originally expected from sponsors, also covered by the federation. In total, AIFF will contribute Rs 14 crore for the ISL and about Rs 3.2 crore for the I-League, which is also expected to resume around the same time with 11 participating clubs in a shortened 55-match format.
Speaking about the league’s challenges, Parth Jindal, founder of JSW Sports which owns Bengaluru FC, urged players to make financial sacrifices to help the clubs manage operations amid ongoing turbulence. “We are in this for the love of football, but without player cooperation, many clubs could face closure,” he said.
The Sports Minister highlighted that the government’s intervention and coordination with the AIFF and all clubs, including Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, have enabled the league’s restart. A Governing Council Board will be established to manage the leagues and take all commercial decisions in the future.
The announcement marks a significant step in stabilising professional football in India, ensuring that players, clubs, and fans can look forward to the return of competitive action from mid-February.
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