Soccer-FIFPRO 'deeply concerned' over Indian league suspension, calls for swift resolution
The ISL, India's top-flight soccer league, was put on hold last month, with stalled negotiations for a contract renewal with its commercial partners, Reliance-led Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), cited as the reason.
Talks to renew the 2010 agreement came to a halt after India's Supreme Court asked the All India Football Federation not to renew the deal with FSDL until it had issued an order over a separate case to implement a new constitution for the federation.
The situation worsened earlier this month when Bengaluru FC, the 2018-19 ISL champions, stopped paying the salaries of their first-team players and staff amid the league's uncertainty.
"The lack of clarity for players over the 2025-26 ISL season, arising from a dispute over the league's organisation and governance that has led to its indefinite suspension, is having a significant impact on their livelihoods, careers, and wellbeing," FIFPRO said in a statement.
"Players have been subjected to unilateral and unlawful suspensions of their employment contracts until further notice. These actions represent a direct breach of the players' labour rights and are causing significant distress."
Reuters has contacted the AIFF and ISL organisers for comment.
FIFPRO said it has been working closely with the Football Players' Association of India (FPAI) to address the players' concerns and has raised the matter with soccer's global governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
The union of professional footballers further urged the AIFF, FSDL and club owners to collaborate with the FPAI to confirm the ISL schedule and provide a clear road map for the season to commence.
Additionally, it called on clubs to continue to meet all contractual obligations to players.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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