After players, referees feel ISL stalemate heat

Time of India

16 hours ago

Contracted till Aug 31, professional referees have told the AIFF that the lack of clarity over the season could force them to seek alternative employment
Panaji:
It's not just the players, officials and support staff who are sweating due to the uncertainty swirling around Indian
football
. TOI has learnt that nine match officials -- including three FIFA referees and three FIFA assistant referees -- contracted with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on full-time basis, have told the federation that the lack of clarity over the season could force them to seek alternative employment.
According to sources, the referees receive a fixed monthly payment of Rs 80,000 from the AIFF, besides Rs 20,000 for every match they officiate in the top tier. Assistant referees are paid Rs 60,000 as fixed sum and Rs 15,000 in match fees.
'Many of us have dedicated ourselves fully to this role, even stepping away from other professional opportunities in order to focus solely on refereeing at the highest level,' the referees said in their letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey on Tuesday.
'The lack of certainty regarding continuation of ISL has created uncertainty around our future and could compel us to seek alternative employment, which would not only impact our livelihoods but also affect the continuity and development of professional refereeing in India.
'
Contracted till August 31, the referees have asked the AIFF to 'consider extending our contracts at the earliest, so we may continue contributing to Indian football with full focus and commitment.'
Indian football is facing an unprecedented crisis due to uncertainty over the top-tier
Indian Super League
(ISL) with FSDL, the federation's marketing partners, keeping the season on hold 'until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond the end of current MRA term' on Dec 8 this year. AIFF has said its hands are tied due to an oral order from the Supreme Court that bars them from taking any decision on the renewal of the contract until the final order.
Clubs, worried, are hoping that they will have some clarity after their meeting with Chaubey on Thursday. While eight clubs had officially sought an appointment, four more are expected to join hands and seek clarity.
Sources said two senior FSDL officials will attend the meeting in the Capital.
The meeting comes amid growing concern over the future of several clubs. Odisha FC, 'after careful and thorough consideration, and in alignment with the evolving situation,' suspended all player and staff contracts with effect from August 5, while Bengaluru FC – captained by India legend Sunil Chhetri -- said they are 'constrained to temporarily suspend all remuneration payments to all players and technical staff, with immediate effect.
'
Constrained by circumstances, Chennaiyin FC were the latest to suspend all activities of the club on Wednesday.
'All clubs are constantly in touch with both, FSDL and AIFF, to keep us apprised on any developments, hoping that the impasse will be resolved sooner than later,' the club's general manager Ekansh Gupta told all players and technical staff via email on Wednesday. 'We are also keeping an eye on the Supreme Court's listing of the AIFF matter. All of us in the ecosystem are doing everything we can to ensure a positive outcome.
'