The ongoing pause on the Indian Super League (ISL) seem to stretch on as the meeting between the office-bearers of All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) did not make much headway on Monday in Bengaluru.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the AIFF said both parties expressed confidence of “arriving at a mutually agreed proposal”, but there was no mention of whether they have held any discussion on when to start the Indian Super League and the Super Cup. The matter, though, is sub-judice.
The Supreme Court, which heard the matter last Friday, had directed the AIFF and Football Sports development Limited (FSDL), who are the AIFF’s commercial partners as well as the ISL organisers, to discuss the issue and come out with a solution by August 28, the next date of hearing.
🚨 AIFF Statement 🚨#IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/xnv1eLsU3A
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) August 25, 2025
In their statement AIFF mentioned that the meeting was constructive and in positive spirit. “Both parties approached the discussions in a constructive and positive spirit and expressed confidence in arriving at a mutually agreed proposal that will ensure the continued development and progress of football in India. The joint proposal will be submitted before the Hon’ble Supreme Court on August 28. The parties will make no further comments while matter is sub-judice,” the statement read.
On August 18, the top court agreed to hear the matter involving a row between the AIFF and FSDL over the fate of 11 ISL clubs due to the non-renewal of their contracts with the national federation and the tournament’s organisers. The 11 clubs warned the AIFF that they “face the real possibility of shutting down entirely” if the impasse regarding the future of the top-tier domestic competition is not resolved soon.
The ongoing crisis surfaced after FSDL put the 2025-26 season of ISL on hold due to the uncertainty over the renewal of the Master Rights of Agreement (MRA), prompting at least three clubs to either pause first-team operations or suspend player and staff salaries.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
