File picture of Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri celebrating along with his teammates.(HT_PRINT)
On August 28, throughout a listening to regarding AIFF’s structure which was then pending, the AIFF and ISL organisers FSDL had submitted a “consensual resolution” to the Supreme Court, with the nationwide federation agreeing “to conduct an open, competitive and transparent tender (process) for the selection of a commercial partner” to organise the top-tier league.
In that decision, the AIFF had additionally agreed to finish the method by October 15, in order that new league season can thereafter begin in December.
With the deadline missed, the ten golf equipment — Chennaiyin FC, Punjab FC, Hyderabad FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, NorthEast United, Kerala Balsters, Odisha FC, Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC — slammed the AIFF for its lack of accountability and transparency.
Three Kolkata golf equipment of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting weren’t concerned within the letter.
“Following the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, and the subsequent joint submission made by the AIFF and FSDL, it was clearly stated that an open and transparent tender process would be initiated and completed by 15th October 2025 to appoint a new commercial partner for the league,” the golf equipment mentioned in a letter to the AIFF president and the manager committee.
“It may be very evident that we’re but to even start the method, not to mention full it. The lack of communication from the AIFF has been deeply disappointing, and the silence surrounding this matter has brought about additional erosion of confidence amongst golf equipment and different stakeholders.
“Moreover, the current situation represents a breach of trust — one that risks undoing the collective progress made in professionalising Indian football over the past decade.”
In its September 2 order, the SC had directed its former choose Justice (retd) Nageswara Rao to supervise your entire tender course of. The AIFF subsequently fashioned a three-member panel headed by Justice Rao. It additionally introduced the collection of KPMG India Services LLP because the consulting agency to handle the method of monetising the nationwide federation’s industrial rights.
The AIFF additionally determined to carry the Super Cup match — a home match open to golf equipment throughout a number of tiers — from October 25 to November 22 in a phased method to make sure well timed graduation of the soccer calendar within the nation and to take care of aggressive continuity.
The 10 golf equipment expressed disappointment on the delay within the tender course of to pick out AIFF’s industrial accomplice after that they had agreed to take part within the Super Cup in “good faith”.
“While the Super Cup has since been organised and clubs have agreed to participate in good faith, activating teams at this stage has already involved significant logistical and contractual implications – from assembling squads, securing venues, and confirming operational commitments to re-engaging staff and vendors,” the ten golf equipment mentioned.
“These decisions have been made trusting that the AIFF would act in accordance with its submission to the Supreme Court and bring clarity to the league’s immediate future. However, as of today, there has been no tender document released, no communication on the next steps, and no transparency on where the process currently stands.”
The golf equipment mentioned the uncertainty within the tender course of has made monetary planning, sponsorship discussions, and participant commitments practically unimaginable to maintain.
“We want to reiterate that golf equipment have continued to exhibit their willingness to cooperate and help Indian soccer’s bigger ecosystem, however this goodwill can not proceed to be taken without any consideration.
“The uncertainty has made monetary planning, sponsorship discussions, and participant commitments practically unimaginable to maintain. We subsequently request that the AIFF urgently make clear: The standing of the tender course of and when it will likely be launched; the proposed timeline for finishing the choice course of.
“It is deeply disappointing that such a letter has had to be written once again. The continued lack of clarity leaves all stakeholders with no choice but to seek accountability and transparency in the governance of the sport.”
Crisis surfaced within the nation’s home sport after FSDL, the ISL organisers in addition to AIFF’s industrial accomplice, put the 2025-26 season “on hold” on July 11 attributable to uncertainty over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with the nationwide federation, prompting no less than three golf equipment to both pause first-team operations or droop participant and workers salaries.
The present MRA, which was signed means again in 2010, expires in December 2025.
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