Indian football is facing one of the most serious crises in its modern history, with the 2025–26 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) hanging in limbo amid governance deadlock, commercial collapse, and growing player unrest.
What began as a delay caused by contractual uncertainty has now evolved into a systemic breakdown that threatens the credibility of the country’s top-tier football structure.
At the heart of the issue lies the expiration of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on December 8, 2025. The MRA had governed the organization, commercialization, and broadcast rights of the ISL since its inception in 2010. With no renewal in place and disagreements over governance, revenue sharing, and constitutional alignment, FSDL placed the 2025–26 season “on hold,” leaving clubs without central revenue or clarity on the competition calendar.
This vacuum has had immediate financial consequences. ISL clubs, accustomed to a franchise-based model with predictable income from central sponsorships and broadcast deals, suddenly found themselves responsible for player salaries and operational costs without any league income. A tender process to identify a new commercial partner failed in October 2025, attracting zero bidders, largely due to legal ambiguities within the AIFF constitution that discouraged potential investors.
The impact on players has been severe. The most visible symbol of the crisis is the loan departure of Adrián Luna, Kerala Blasters’ captain and one of the league’s most influential foreign players. Despite being under contract until 2027, Luna was allowed to move overseas due to the uncertainty surrounding the season. Since joining Kerala Blasters in 2021, the Uruguayan playmaker had become the club’s creative heartbeat, contributing goals, assists, and leadership on and off the pitch. His temporary exit is widely seen as a sign that the ISL is no longer a stable destination for elite professionals.
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Luna is not an isolated case. FC Goa captain Borja Herrera also departed, publicly calling the situation in Indian football “untenable.” His remarks echoed the frustration of many players who feel trapped in a system where decisions are endlessly deferred. Several other high-profile footballers and coaches have followed suit, either terminating contracts or accepting offers from more stable leagues in Southeast Asia and Europe. This steady talent drain has weakened squads and eroded the league’s competitive continuity.
The uncertainty has also disrupted coaching structures. Odisha FC parted ways with Sergio Lobera, one of the most successful managers in ISL history, while Bengaluru FC saw further changes in its technical staff. Such instability has made long-term planning almost impossible for clubs, many of whom have paused recruitment or scaled back operations in anticipation of further delays.
In an attempt to salvage the season, the AIFF proposed a shortened 2025–26 campaign, potentially starting in February 2026, using centralized venues and reduced match counts. Two formats have been discussed: a conference-based system or a single-leg league without playoffs. While these options may allow the season to be completed within a tight window, they fall short of the Asian Football Confederation’s requirement of a minimum number of matches for continental eligibility. This places India’s AFC Champions League 2 berths at serious risk, further diminishing the league’s sporting value.
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Beyond the immediate crisis, the AIFF has unveiled a long-term 20-year roadmap that would see the federation assume direct control of the top division until 2045. The plan includes promotion and relegation, a revised revenue-sharing model, and alignment with international governance standards. While clubs have cautiously welcomed the proposal as a starting point for reform, many remain skeptical about its financial viability without a strong broadcast and commercial partner.
The situation has also drawn the attention of FIFA and the AFC, both of whom have expressed concern over governance delays and constitutional compliance. The threat of international sanctions, while not imminent, looms large if the impasse continues. Such a scenario would be catastrophic, potentially isolating Indian football from global competitions and undermining long-term ambitions, including major international hosting bids.
What the current crisis has exposed is an over-reliance on a single commercial structure without adequate contingency planning. The ISL was built to provide stability after decades of financial uncertainty in Indian football, but its sudden paralysis has revealed structural weaknesses that now demand urgent correction. For players, coaches, sponsors, and fans, the cost of indecision is becoming increasingly clear.
As Indian football waits for clarity from the Supreme Court, the AIFF, and potential commercial partners, the coming weeks will be decisive. Whether through a shortened season or a restructured league model, a clear and credible pathway forward is essential.
Without it, the ongoing erosion of trust, talent, and investment could push Indian professional football into a prolonged period of decline one from which recovery will be far more difficult than the problems that caused it.
