AIFF Counsel To Mention ISL Impasse To Supreme Court On August 18

On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) about the ongoing Indian Super League controversy. A hearing is set for Monday, and the Supreme Court has reserved its decision about the revised AIFF constitution. Since the Masters Rights Agreement (MRA) between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and AIFF regarding the Indian Super League has not yet been completed, hundreds of Indian and international football players are living in uncertainty. Players’ and support staff’s salaries will not be paid by the clubs until the standoff is resolved.

“A discussion was held between the legal representatives of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, on Thursday, August 14, 2025,” AIFF issued a statement on ‘X’. “It has been agreed by all parties that the concerns of the ISL clubs pertaining to the delay in the commencement of the 2025-26 ISL season, and the hardship being felt by the players and other stakeholders will be conveyed to the Hon’ble Supreme Court next week, for its kind consideration,” it further stated.

In fact, an AIFF source said that they are willing to file a written application if the court asks for one.

“Yes we will be attempting to mention but since judgement is reserved we have to see how the judges takes it. If they feel there is merit in appeal, they may ask for an application to be filed. The plight of the players, clubs and football need to be brought to their notice, ” a club source told PTI.

The AIFF on Wednesday had asked the legal counsels of the game’s apex body and the ISL clubs to “hold discussions” on the teams’ concerns about the uncertainty over the upcoming season of the top-tier league.

Last week, 11 Indian Super League clubs had urged the AIFF to urgently bring the “current situation” of Indian football, arising out of the uncertainty over ISL’s future, to the attention of the Supreme Court before which a case relating to the constitution of the national federation is pending.

The ISL clubs, in a letter, said that they will have no option but to seek judicial recourse independently if the AIFF does not act on their request.

“On August 13, the AIFF responded and requested that the legal counsels of the clubs and the federation meet to hold discussions on the matter and decide on further action,” the AIFF tweeted.

After ISL organizers FSDL put the league on “pause” because of uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) it signed with them in 2010, the clubs asked the AIFF to approach the top court a day after the national federation proposed the Super Cup in September to guarantee enough competitive matches for the clubs.

At least three clubs had to either halt first-team activities or withhold player and staff wages after ISL organizers FSDL put the 2025–26 season “on hold” on July 11 due to uncertainties surrounding the renewal of the MRA, further exacerbating the problem.