&w=3840&q=100)
Bengaluru FC forced to suspend Sunil Chhetri's salary amid ISL uncertainty: 'Lack of clarity leaves us with no choice'
In a major shock, one of the best-run football clubs in India, Bengaluru FC, have announced that they are suspending player salaries due to lack of clarity on the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season. The Bengaluru FC's decision will directly impact Indian football team striker Sunil Chhetri, who is one of their main players.
The top-division football league in India – ISL is currently not a part of the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) 2025-26 calendar due to a lack of agreement between the national football body and the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) over a new Master Rights Agreement (MRA). The FSDL has been organising the ISL since 2014 under the MRA, which is set to expire in December 2025.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The AIFF and FSDL have failed to reach a conclusion on the terms of a new MRA, .
Chhetri's salary stopped at Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru on Monday announced they are 'indefinitely suspending the salaries' of players, including Chhetri, and that of the first-team coaches in view of the uncertainty surrounding the ISL.
'In view of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League season, Bengaluru Football Club has taken what is a very difficult decision of indefinitely suspending the salaries of players and staff belonging to the First Team. Running and sustaining a football club in India has always been an uphill climb, one that we have put everything aside and made, season after season,' BFC said in a statement on X.
More from Football
'However, the lack of clarity on the League's future leaves us with no choice but to take this step. The future and well-being of our players, staff, and their families is of utmost importance to us, and we are in touch with them as we wait for a resolution,' BFC added.
The former ISL and I-League champions, however, announced that the youth team operations remain unaffected.
'The Club remains committed to growing and developing the sport and our operations with our youth teams – men and women – and BFC Soccer Schools remain unaffected by this decision. We urge the AIFF and FSDL to end this impasse swiftly. The uncertainty benefits no one, and a prompt resolution is vital for the future of Indian football,' BFC concluded.
Meanwhile, AIFF officials are scheduled to meet with to discuss the issues regarding the league. The meeting would include a Bengaluru FC representative.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
12 minutes ago
- Indian Express
UK steps up anti-visa fraud drive in Punjab, Haryana with chatbot
The British High Commission has expanded its 'Visa Fraud Ton Bacho' campaign across Punjab and Haryana, launching a Punjabi-language WhatsApp chatbot and partnering with local authorities to raise awareness about visa scams and promote legal routes to the UK. The campaign, which began earlier this year in key areas of Punjab, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Chandigarh, uses social media, posters, and direct community engagement to warn people about common scam tactics. Recognising its early success, the British High Commission plans to deepen collaboration with Indian authorities and grassroots stakeholders over the coming months. Unveiling a new QR code that connects users to its WhatsApp chatbot, the UK government aims to make official guidance on identifying and avoiding visa fraud more accessible. The chatbot provides information in both Punjabi and English and can be reached via +91 70652 51380. 'We are pleased to be continuing our 'Visa Fraud Ton Bacho' campaign in Punjab, making it more accessible with the launch of our WhatsApp chatbot QR code,' said Daniel Sherry, political counsellor at the British High Commission. 'Working with partners in Chandigarh and Punjab, and with the Government of India, we will continue to protect those vulnerable to visa fraud.' Amandeep Grewal, deputy head of mission in Chandigarh, added, 'Our mission is clear — to protect innocent people from visa fraud. As we expand this campaign across Punjab and Haryana, we will continue raising awareness and promoting safe, legal travel to the UK.' To engage the public directly, the British High Commission has organised photo exhibitions at Elante Mall (August 6, 2:30–5:00 pm) and Sector 17 Underpass (August 7, 4:30–7:00 pm). These events aim to highlight the emotional and financial costs of irregular migration and inform visitors about legal alternatives. As part of the ongoing campaign, UK teams have held village-level meetings, particularly in rural Punjab, involving elders and women to spread awareness. Discussions cover the UK visa application process, associated costs, and how to identify fraudulent practices. According to British High Commission data, Indian nationals now receive nearly a quarter of all UK visas globally, making India one of the largest visa applicant pools.
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Won't be Trumped
GOI has called out Trump's extra tariffs for what they are. He was wrong to think hegemony will work Three weeks from now, India will be the most heavily tariffed seller in the US market besides Brazil. Yesterday, through an executive order, Trump imposed an additional ad valorem duty of 25% on India for 'directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil', taking the total to 50%. GOI probably saw this coming from the time Trump's tone changed from friendly to brusque a week ago. Where he had talked up the chances of a trade deal with India on July 8 – 'We are close to making a deal with India' – on July 30 he slapped a 25% import duty along with the threat of an unspecified penalty. Now, the suspense is over. It's impossible to fathom Trump's logic. From the start, China was the presumed target of his tariff war. US runs its largest goods trade deficit with Beijing – worth $295bn in 2024. At one point, Trump raised tariffs on China to 145%, but China's retaliation with a rare earths supply freeze made him see reason. Now, China is tariffed at 30%. If Russian oil triggers Trump, China and Türkiye are also big buyers, yet they have not been 'penalised'. It may be that Trump's acting in frustration. He had boasted he would end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office, but six months have passed and Putin remains defiant. Perhaps, Trump believes stopping oil revenues will bring Putin to the table. And since he seems unable to touch China for now, India possibly seems like a softer target to him. But this is a huge mistake. For almost 80 years, India has refused to be cowed by hegemons. Yesterday, it termed Trump's action 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable' and made it clear it will 'take all actions necessary to protect its national interests'. As TOI has said before, the current discount on Russian oil is so little that India saves not more than $2bn a year. It could easily pivot to West Asian oil, but the resultant increase in crude prices would hurt all. Besides, if India chooses to pivot, it won't be on Trump's terms. While negotiations with US will continue, Indian exporters are under pressure, so deals with other countries must be prioritised. India should also look beyond goods exports – tourism, for instance – to increase forex earnings. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Finland-based thinktank exposes US double standard
NEW DELHI: European Union countries account for 23% of Russia's revenues from fossil fuel exports against India's 13% since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, while G7+ tankers are currently transporting more than half of those barrels, data published by CREA (Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air) shows. Indian govt sources here said this further spotlighted Western hypocrisy in targeting India for securing its energy interests, while ignoring similar action by other countries. European Union has been procuring not just energy but also fertilizers, chemicals, iron, steel and transport equipment from Russia. "These figures only vindicate India's emphasis on ensuring for its citizens regular and affordable energy supplies," said a source on condition of anonymity. Seen in the backdrop of the US on Wednesday doubling tariff on India to 50% for "fuelling the Russian war machine" by buying its oil and last month's EU sanction on Indian refining entity Nayara Energy, the Finland-based independent think-tank's latest report exposes what New Delhi describes as West's "double standard" in singling out India. The report says Moscow has raked in EUR 923 billion (92,300 crore) so far from fossil fuel exports such as oil, natural gas, coal, refined fuels and intermediaries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Of this, EUR 212 billion (21,200 crore) came from EU countries compared with EUR 121 billion (12,100 crore) from India. China remained the top bu-yer of Russian energy with a tab of over EUR 200 billion (20,000 crore). The report points out the growing role of G7 tankers in transporting Russian oil since the EU's June sanctions. This underlines the disconnect between western policy and practice pointed out by New Delhi. "Since Jan, the G7+ share in Russian oil transport has increased from 36% to 56%," it says. More than half of Russian seaborne oil exports were transported in G7+ tankers in June, reflecting a six percentage point increase over May. Use of western tanker fleet means those shipments were compliant with the price cap and other terms of the sanctions. India argues it has helped prevent a flare-up in oil prices by buying Russian oil, accounting for about 9% of daily global supply. That is also the key consideration that led the US and the EU to opt for a price cap - rather than choking off the flow with sanctions - for curbing funding for Moscow's war efforts without spooking the oil markets. Overall, however, the report does say that "Russian fossil fuel revenues in second quarter of 2025 dropped by 18% year-on-year - lowest in a quarter since the invasion of Ukraine. This occurred despite an 8% increase in volumes exported in Q2 compared to Q1 of 2025."
