In New Delhi, a significant situation unfolded when ten clubs from the Indian Super League (ISL) expressed their frustration over the delayed tender process for selecting a new commercial partner for the All India Football Federation (AIFF). They believed this delay represented a serious “breach of trust” and called for immediate clarity on the matter.
On August 28, during a Supreme Court hearing regarding the AIFF’s constitution, both the AIFF and the league organisers, FSDL, presented a “consensual resolution.” This resolution stipulated that there would be an open and competitive tender process to select a commercial partner for organising the ISL. Moreover, the AIFF had committed to finishing this process by October 15, allowing the new league season to start in December.
However, the clubs—Chennaiyin FC, Punjab FC, Hyderabad FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters, Odisha FC, Jamshedpur FC, and Mumbai City FC—were disheartened when they noted that the deadline had come and gone without any action being taken. They condemned the AIFF’s lack of accountability and transparency, which they felt undermined their trust in the federation.
Three Kolkata clubs, including Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting, did not participate in the letter sent to the AIFF. The ten participating clubs firmly stated, “Following the Supreme Court’s directions, it was clearly mentioned that the tender process should be open and transparent, finishing by 15th October 2025.” Unfortunately, they asserted that the process had not even begun, expressing disappointment with the lack of communication from the AIFF. This silence has deeply worried them and has eroded the trust built over the years.
In a prior ruling on September 2, the Supreme Court appointed a retired judge, Justice Nageswara Rao, to oversee the entire tender process. In response, the AIFF formed a three-member panel led by Justice Rao. They also brought on board KPMG India Services LLP as a consulting firm to manage the commercial rights of the national federation.
To maintain continuity in the football calendar, the AIFF announced plans to hold the Super Cup tournament from October 25 to November 22. This competition is open to clubs across different tiers of Indian football, aimed at keeping the sporting spirit alive even amidst administrative uncertainties.
The ten clubs voiced their concerns regarding the delays, particularly as they had made commitments to participate in the Super Cup in “good faith.” They explained how activating their teams at this stage involved significant logistical difficulties, ranging from assembling player squads to securing venues and re-engaging staff and vendors. Their decisions were based on the trust that the AIFF would honour its commitments to the Supreme Court and clarify the league’s future.
However, as of now, no tender document has been released, and the clubs are left wondering about the next steps. They stated that the uncertainty surrounding the tender process has made it almost impossible to handle financial planning, sponsorship discussions, and player commitments.
The clubs expressed, “We wish to reiterate that clubs have shown a willingness to cooperate and support the Indian football ecosystem, but this goodwill cannot always be taken for granted.” The lack of clarity has made it increasingly challenging for the clubs to operate effectively.
In light of these issues, the clubs demanded that the AIFF provide urgent clarity on the following points: the status of the tender process, when the tender documents will be available, and the anticipated timeline for concluding the selection process. They reflected on the disappointment of having to reiterate these concerns in a formal letter yet again. The clubs emphasized that the continued absence of clarity leaves all stakeholders no choice but to seek accountability and transparency in the governance of Indian football.
The crisis became even more pronounced when FSDL, the ISL organisers and AIFF’s commercial partner, announced the 2025-2026 season would be “on hold” as of July 11. This uncertainty over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) affected at least three clubs, prompting them to pause first-team operations and delay salaries for players and staff. The existing MRA, signed in 2010, is due to expire in December 2025, adding further urgency to resolve these issues.
In essence, the current predicament calls for immediate attention to restore faith in the governance of football in India.
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Original Text – https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/aiff-faces-backlash-from-10-isl-clubs-over-delayed-tender-process-1910612