Indian football icon Sandesh Jhingan has voiced his concern over the ongoing standoff between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) regarding the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season. With no clarity on the start date, the delay has sparked serious worries among players and fans alike. Jhingan, a key defender for the national team, has urged both governing bodies to resolve the matter promptly, warning that the delay could have damaging consequences on the national squad’s readiness for crucial AFC qualifiers scheduled for October.
The ISL, India’s top-tier football league, is currently in limbo due to unresolved discussions over a revised Master Rights Agreement (MRA). FSDL, a Reliance-backed entity that manages the ISL, has proposed the formation of a new operational company. This new structure would have the ISL clubs as majority stakeholders (60%), with FSDL holding 26% and AIFF 14%. Meanwhile, the AIFF is engaged in parallel proceedings with the Supreme Court, further complicating the resolution process.
Speaking to The Economic Times, Sandesh Jhingan shared, “We want a quick resolution. We are going through something new right now. I’m just a footballer who’s waiting, hoping that this gets resolved soon, so that we can get back to playing. That’s what the country needs.”
Jhingan highlighted the impact on professional footballers across India, emphasizing the financial and emotional strain caused by the uncertainty. “It is going to be tough. At the end of the day, for players, this is our job—it brings food on our tables and sustains our families. It’s going to hit us the same way it hits every other human being when the office gets shut or when they lose their job,” he said.
The former MRA, signed in 2010, is set to expire this year. Under its terms, FSDL pays ₹50 crore annually to AIFF for broadcasting, commercialization, and operational rights over Indian football, including the national team. A failure to extend or renew this agreement could potentially halt the ISL season, leaving hundreds of professional footballers without contracts and national preparations severely hampered.
Indian football fans, clubs, and players now await a breakthrough, hoping the matter is settled soon so that the ISL 2025-26 season can proceed as scheduled, and the Indian team remains competitive in international fixtures.
