ISL champion Mohun Bagan unlikely to attend meeting with AIFF, clubs; East Bengal, FC Goa probable attendees
Sources inside the club have denied receiving any invitation for the meeting and maintained that if one were to arrive, Bagan's presence in the national capital for the meeting on Thursday is improbable.
'The club knows that it is a deadlock situation where a solution will come only after the Supreme Court's judgement. In such a scenario, it becomes almost futile to have discussions without any way forward,' a source privy to the developments told Sportstar.
Meanwhile, East Bengal, the other Kolkata giant, has taken the opposite route, expressing eagerness to discuss with the Federation's top brass and clubs.
ALSO READ: Bengaluru FC indefinitely suspends player and staff salaries amid ISL uncertainty
'We received the letter today, and we are eager to attend. We are discussing with the higher authority at the club to come to a conclusion,' Debabrata Sarkar, East Bengal's club official, said.
The future of the ISL remains uncertain after the Football Sports Development Limited—the league's organiser—and the AIFF failed to reach an agreement on the Master Rights Agreement.
With the Supreme Court stalling further negotiations until it rules on the AIFF constitution, most clubs have been left without any league football.
As a result, some franchises have taken contingency measures—ranging from temporarily suspending operations (Bengaluru FC) to offering short-term player contracts (Jamshedpur FC).
The meeting on Thursday will primarily address this concern, with possible discussions on hosting the Super Cup later this year as a stopgap measure until the Supreme Court reaches a decision—a way to keep the clubs operational.
ALSO READ: AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers: India to host matches in November
The Super Cup is typically held as the final tournament of the season, but there have previously been talks about preponing it and even replacing it with the Federation Cup.
'The Super Cup continues as planned, and its scheduling will depend on the finalised league (ISL) calendar,' Kalyan Chaubey, the AIFF president, had earlier told Sportstar in an interview.
Only two clubs have confirmed competitive fixtures after the Durand Cup in a window — September to December — that typically served as the slot for the ISL: Mohun Bagan and FC Goa.
Bagan, having won the ISL Shield last season, qualified for the group stages of the AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2) and has games planned at least from September to December.
FILE PHOTO: Ravi Puskur, the director of football at FC Goa, will represent the club at the meeting. | Photo Credit: The Hindu/EMMANUAL YOGINI
Goa, meanwhile, plays Al-Seeb from Oman in the preliminary stages of (ACL 2) on August 13 and can potentially feature in the group stages of the Challenge League, scheduled till the end of the year.
The Gaurs, however, will be a part of the meeting, through their Director of Football, Ravi Puskur.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Supreme Court mandates compensation for accidents during office commute
The Supreme Court has ruled that employees and their families will be entitled to compensation under the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923, not just for accidents occurring during the course of work but also for mishaps while commuting to and from their place of employment. The Supreme Court judgment came in a case involving Shahu Sampatrao Jadhavar, a watchman at a sugar factory in Maharashtra.(Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times) In a significant verdict broadening the scope of workers' rights and social welfare protection, a bench of Justices Manoj Misra and KV Viswanathan interpreted the phrase 'accident arising out of and in the course of employment' in Section 3 of EC Act to include commuting accidents, provided a clear nexus is established between the time, place and circumstances of the accident and the employment. This liberal interpretation, authored by Justice Viswanathan and delivered in a case involving the death of a sugar factory watchman on his way to work, is a progressive step in expanding the social security framework for millions of workers across India, especially those not covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme. 'We interpret the phrase 'accident arising out of and in the course of employment' under Section 3 of the EC Act to include accident occurring to an employee while commuting from his residence to the place of employment for duty or from the place of employment to his residence after performing duty,' the court said in its July 28 ruling. It clarified that the benefit of this interpretation is contingent on showing a clear nexus between the time, place and circumstances of the accident and the employment. That is, if a worker meets with an accident during a routine and timely commute to or from the workplace, it may qualify as employment-related for compensation purposes. The judgment came in a case involving Shahu Sampatrao Jadhavar, who worked as a watchman at a sugar factory in Maharashtra. His shift on April 22, 2003, was scheduled from 3 AM to 11 AM. While commuting to work in the early hours, his motorcycle met with a fatal accident around 5 km from the factory. He left behind his widow, four children, and his mother. A claim under EC Act was allowed by the commissioner for workmen's compensation and civil judge, Osmanabad, who awarded ₹3,26,140 as compensation along with 12% annual interest, and also directed the employer to pay 50% of the amount as penalty. The employer's insurance company was held liable to pay the compensation. However, the Bombay High Court reversed the award, holding that since the accident occurred outside the precincts of the factory, it could not be said to have arisen out of employment. Setting aside the high court's ruling, the top court restored the commissioner's award and reaffirmed that the commute to work can form an integral part of employment under EC Act if the contextual nexus is established. The court drew from Section 51E of ESI Act, which was introduced in 2010 and explicitly provides that commuting accidents, if there is a connection between the circumstances, time and place, are deemed to have occurred in the course of employment. While EC Act does not have such a specific provision, the top court held that since both statutes are beneficial legislation aimed at social welfare and worker protection, they are 'statutes in pari materia' (dealing with the same subject matter). Hence, the interpretation under one can inform the other. 'Both the EC Act and the ESI Act seek to ameliorate the conditions of workmen and provide them social security benefits,' stated the judgment, noting that EC Act applied to all other employers and employees not covered under ESI scheme. The court cited its own 2016 ruling in Jaya Biswal Vs IFFCO Tokio General Insurance Co to reaffirm that EC Act is a social welfare legislation, meant to secure minimum protection and compensation for workers, with reduced legal formality and regardless of fault.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
SC orders nationwide clean-up of ₹1.6L-cr regulatory assets
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed electricity regulatory commissions (RCs) across the country to prepare a detailed roadmap for liquidating existing regulatory assets (RAs) within the next three years. The court also instructed the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) to ensure strict compliance with this directive by registering a suo motu petition. The court directed that if any new RA is created, it must be liquidated within three years, with the existing regulatory assets cleared within four years starting from April 1, 2024, as per Rule 23 of the Electricity Rules. (HT Archive) The direction came in response to a petition filed by Delhi's three major power distribution companies -- BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd -- challenging the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission's (DERC) approach to electricity tariff determination. The companies argued that DERC's tariff policies over the years led to a massive accumulation of regulatory assets, which as of March 31, 2024, stood at ₹27,200.37 crore across the three discoms, including carrying costs. While examining the issue, the bench of justices PS Narasimha and Sandeep Mehta widened the scope of the case, noted that the problem of increased RA was not a phenomenon limited to Delhi. For instance, Tamil Nadu reported an estimated RA of ₹89,375 crore as of FY 2021–22, while Rajasthan's cumulative RA had crossed ₹47,000 crore by FY 2024–25. In contrast, the electricity regulatory commissions of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh stated that they had never created RAs. The Maharashtra commission confirmed it had not created any regulatory assets since March 2020, in compliance with the National Tariff Policy, 2016, and the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024. The court directed that if any new RA is created, it must be liquidated within three years, with the existing regulatory assets cleared within four years starting from April 1, 2024, as per Rule 23 of the Electricity Rules. Rule 23 prescribes that regulatory assets should not exceed 3% of the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR). The bench held that each RC must prepare a trajectory and roadmap for the liquidation of its regulatory assets, including provisions to deal with carrying costs. It further ordered a thorough audit to determine why discoms were allowed to accumulate RAs without recovery for extended periods. To monitor and enforce these measures, APTEL was directed to invoke its powers under Section 121 of the Electricity Act and issue orders, instructions, or directions to ensure that the RCs fulfill their duties regarding regulatory assets. APTEL must also register a suo motu petition and continue monitoring until the liquidation timelines conclude. The judgment underlined that while increasing electricity tariffs is a tool to bridge revenue gaps, it may impose a sudden 'tariff shock' on consumers. To avoid this, commissions may opt to recover part of the gap immediately and create a regulatory asset for the remainder—recoverable in subsequent years. However, this should not become a long-term practice. 'The financial health and commercial viability of distribution companies must be ensured by the regulatory commissions,' the bench said. It emphasized that tariffs must be cost-reflective, and that revenue gaps between approved ARR and projected revenue should only arise in exceptional circumstances. Highlighting the consequences of unchecked RA accumulation, the court said, 'Disproportionate increase and long pending regulatory assets depict a regulatory failure. It has serious consequences on all stakeholders, and the ultimate burden is only on the consumer.' The court found that while RCs are meant to be independent authorities having functional autonomy, their decisions give a clear impression of a lack of ability to take 'firm' decisions. 'Instead of taking strong decisions on the basis of the statutory mandate, we see instances where the Regulatory Commissions manage and manoeuvre to arrive at a tariff by creating regulatory assets over and above all permissible limits. This is where the problem lies,' the court observed. The bench reminded the RCs to call for ARR, ensure that tariffs are determined, and that truing up is conducted in a timely manner, by exercising suo motu powers if necessary. 'Ineffective and inefficient functioning of the Regulatory Commissions, coupled with acting under dictation can lead to regulatory failure. The commissions are accountable for their decisions, and they are subject to judicial review,' the bench said.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Chennaiyin FC Suspends Operations Due To Uncertainty Surrounding ISL
Indian club football appeared to be in complete crisis as Chennaiyin FC on Wednesday suspended its operations in view of the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League, days after Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC decided to stop paying salaries to their first-team players and staff. Chennaiyin's decision came a day before a crucial meeting between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) top brass and eight ISL clubs on Thursday. Chennaiyin FC is, however, unlikely to have a representation in the meeting as the club is not among the signatories calling for such a move. "In the light of the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of the ISL, Chennaiyin FC has taken the extremely difficult decision to temporarily pause club operations," the Chennai-based club said on its social media handle. "These are never easy decisions to make, and ours has come after much thoughtful consideration and careful deliberation. The challenges of being a stakeholder in Indian football are well recognized. "This is not a step we take lightly. It affects people we care about deeply. The welfare of our players, coaches, staff and their families remains a priority, and we are in constant communication with them as we face this together." The two-time ISL champion side "hope that this pause will be short-lived and that we can return to doing what we love as soon as there is clarity for all clubs". "Throughout this uncertainty, our commitment to the growth of Indian football, upon which this journey began remains as strong as ever. To our loyal supporters, your passion and belief have always inspired us. We ask for your understanding as we navigate this challenging period, and we look forward to better days ahead," it added. "At Chennaiyin FC, we are more than just a football club. We are a family. Like any family, we support each other in difficult times. However we must remain true to the core values on which this club was built and which we have always strived to uphold." Last week, ISL side Odisha FC took the decision to suspend paying salaries to its first-team players and staff. Late on Monday, Bengaluru FC indefinitely suspended contracts of its first-team players and staff amid the continued uncertainty over the ISL, which remains on hold. The club, home to legendary striker and former India captain Sunil Chhetri, said the lack of clarity on the League's future left it with no choice but to take this "difficult" decision. "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 the players and staff belonging to the first team,' the Bengaluru club had said in statement. "Running and sustaining a football club in India has always been an uphill climb, one we have put everything aside made, season after season. "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," the statement added. Bengaluru FC also urged both the AIFF and FSDL to resolve the impasse at the earliest. "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," the club said. The ISL was put on hold by its organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), due to the unresolved status of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The current 15-year MRA between FSDL and AIFF, signed in 2010, expires on December 18. Amid the growing uncertainty, eight ISL clubs have written to the AIFF expressing concern about their future. The AIFF's top brass is scheduled to meet the CEOs of the eight clubs on Thursday to discuss the situation. The letter, calling for a "constructive dialogue" with the AIFF, was signed by Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Kerala Blasters, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC and Punjab FC. The three Kolkata-based clubs -- Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting -- as well as Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC were missing. Last month, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey had assured that the 2025-26 ISL season would be held, but stopped short of confirming a start date. On July 11, FSDL officially announced that the 2025-26 ISL season had been put "on hold' due to uncertainty surrounding the MRA renewal. The ISL usually runs from September to April. Following a directive from the Supreme Court, the AIFF has been asked not to negotiate new terms of the MRA (with FSDL) until a final judgment is delivered in the AIFF draft constitution case. A ruling is expected soon.
