Picture Credit: X
Star India footballer Sunil Chhetri has expressed concerns over the uncertainty that everyone in Indian football is going through following the holding of Indian Super League’s (ISL) 2025/26 season due to the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between event organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The league is usually conducted from September to April, but the current MRA between organisers FSDL and the AIFF is set to expire on December 8, 2025, by which time the ISL 2025-26 season would enter its third month. On July 11, the FSDL sent a letter to the ISL clubs informing them of the latest development related to the matter.
“The current situation that Indian football finds itself in, is very concerning. I’ve received a flurry of texts from players, staff members, physios, masseurs – not just from my club, but from other clubs as well. Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with,” read a part of Chhetri’s X post.
What’s the contract between FSDL and AIFF?
FSDL has been the commercial ally of AIFF since 2010 as they signed a 15-year MRA then. As per the MRA, FSDL pays the AIFF INR 50 Crore/year, for which it reserves the rights to broadcast, manage and commercialise Indian football. The Supreme Court, in its latest directive, has instructed AIFF not to negotiate new terms of the MRA with FSDL, until the court delivers a final judgment related to the AIFF draft constitution case.
Amidst these scenes, Chhetri has appealed to servants of Indian football to stay calm and unite to cross this hurdle together. “I may not have all the answers, but my message to all those involved with Indian football – and more importantly the ones whose livelihood depends on it, the players, staff, kitmen, masseurs, medical teams, production crews, operations staff – please stay calm. We'll ride this storm together. Stick together and look out for each other. Keep training and getting better. Football has to resume soon. It will," added the veteran.
