Latest news with #FSDL
India Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
ISL organisers tell clubs 2025-26 season won't start with out MRA status clarity
Indian Super League (ISL) organisers have told the clubs that the 2025-26 edition will not kick off until there is clarity over the status of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) signed with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), putting the country's top-tier competition in a limbo. Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which runs the ISL, is the commercial partner of the AIFF, with whom the national federation signed a 15-year MRA in the MRA, FSDL pays the AIFF Rs 50 crore annually. FSDL, in turn, gets the rights to broadcast, manage and commercialise Indian football, including the national Read: Jose Mourinho vs Turkish FA: Fenerbahce demand investigation after leaked texts"FSDL has told the ISL club owners verbally that the next edition will not start until there is clarity on the MRA," a source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity."MRA ends in December and there is no clarity whether it will be renewed or a new agreement will be signed."The AIFF, however, said that FSDL has not told anything about the fate of the ISL to the national federation."We have not got any communication from the FSDL regarding ISL," AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan said when asked if the league will start on the last two seasons, the ISL began in September. According to another source, FSDL is learnt to favour creating a new holding company that operates the ISL, with participating clubs (60%), FSDL (26%) and AIFF (14%) as shareholders."Maybe, there might be other arrangements for other properties like I-League, national teams etc. But it is very sketchy as of now regarding what the FSDL and AIFF want," the source matter has also become complex after the Supreme Court directive to the AIFF not to take any major decision until the final decision on a pending case on the constitution of the national federation is given. On April 30, the SC had reserved its April, the AIFF had formed an eight-member task force to look into MRA negotiations with the FSDL. Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who is also AIFF executive committee member, had then told the brass to wait till the Supreme Court verdict, which is likely to come in July."If the SC directs new election of the AIFF, then the MRA will have to be negotiated by the new office bearers and that will take time," a former official said."Still, there may be enough time for the 2025-26 to happen, maybe by squeezing the schedule or stretching the end date. That is the best case scenario."2025-26 calendar issued last month did not mention ISL The AIFF last month issued the competition calendar for 2025-26 season and there was no mention of the ISL in it. But, a source said the calendar was for events which come directly under the AIFF and ISL schedule is put up only after consulting the FSDL."There was nothing to be interpreted from the calendar. Firstly, it was issued last month and secondly, it was meant for events which are conducted directly by the AIFF," the source said."ISL is not directly conducted by the AIFF and so the ISL dates were not there in the calendar. Moreover, the AIFF always consults the FSDL before announcing ISL dates. So, there is nothing in the calendar regarding the ISL."Must Watch
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
No ISL in Indian football's 2025-26 calendar — AIFF excludes Indian Super League from next season's schedule
The All Indian Football Federation's (AIFF's) competitions calendar 2025-26 had a major change this season, with no mention of the Indian Super League (ISL), the premier division of men's football in the country. The ISL, run by Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), started as a franchise league in 2014 and became India's top-flight in 2019. However, the future of the league remains uncertain at the momentwith its Master Rights Agreement (MRA) — it ends in December this year — yet to be renewed. In April, the Executive Committee of the AIFF formed an eight-member task force to discuss the future of the MRA with FSDL, but there has been no final decision on the issue, keeping the clubs in the dark, too, regarding the upcoming season. It has jeopardised transfer plans for multiple clubs as they have not been able to commit to a date or window for the league. In the 2025-26 season, the men's (senior) season would begin with the Durand Cup, while the Super Cup will be played after that, instead of taking place after the ISL as the final tournament of the season. The move largely comes as a consequence of the poor turnout of fans at the tournament and the clubs sending reserve or youth teams to the Cup, treating it as a second-tier competition. AIFF COMPETITIONS CALENDAR 2025-26 Event Start Date End Date Junior Boys Tier 1 and Tier 2 10-07-2025 31-07-2025 Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 10-07-2025 31-07-2025 Durand Cup 15-07-2025 23-08-2025 Super Cup/Federation Cup 01-09-2025 20-09-2025 Sub-Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 10-08-2025 31-08-2025 Senior Women's Group Stage 01-09-2025 20-09-2025 AIFF Elite Youth League (U14/U16/U18) 01-09-2025 31-05-2026 Senior Women's Final Round 01-10-2025 15-10-2025 I-League 3 01-10-2025 30-11-2025 I-League 19-10-2025 30-04-2026 Indian Women's League 25-10-2025 30-04-2026 Santosh Trophy Group Stage 05-12-2025 20-12-2025 Santosh Trophy Final Round 01-01-2026 20-01-2026 Indian Women's League 2 25-01-2026 30-04-2026 Beach Soccer Championship 01-02-2026 15-02-2026 Futsal Club Championship 01-05-2026 20-05-2026 Swami Vivekananda U-20 Championship 01-04-2026 31-05-2026
Hans India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Hans India
ISL schedule hasn't been shared that's why not in the domestic calendar: Source
New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has released its 2025-26 competition calendar with no mention of the country's premier football league. This omission has raised eyebrows across the Indian football ecosystem, with clubs, players, and fans left speculating about what comes next. An AIFF source, speaking to IANS, confirmed that the ISL has not been included in the federation's calendar because its organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), have yet to provide a schedule. 'The scheduling of the ISL is done by the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). Currently, they have not shared the schedule with us, which is why it's not on the calendar,' the source stated. The uncertainty stems from the fact that the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and FSDL — the Reliance-Star joint venture that operates the ISL — is set to expire in December 2025. As of now, the agreement has not been renewed, and no concrete resolution has emerged from the discussions initiated earlier this year. In April, the AIFF Executive Committee established an eight-member task force to examine the future of the MRA; however, no final decisions have been made. Adding to the complications is the pending Supreme Court verdict on the revised AIFF Constitution, which has created further administrative gridlock. 'We are all waiting for the Supreme Court decision as of now regarding the new AIFF Constitution. Currently, it is all up in the air,' said the source. The impasse has already begun to affect club operations. Several ISL clubs have not finalised their pre-season schedules, casting doubts over their participation in the Durand Cup — India's oldest football tournament. 'A few ISL clubs have not decided when to start their pre-season training as well, which puts their participation in the Durand Cup in doubt, which they have communicated to the organisers. The Durand Cup will still go ahead, and the teams will be replaced,' sources confirmed. The AIFF's revised domestic calendar now opens with the Durand Cup in July 2025, followed by the Super Cup in September. Traditionally, the Super Cup was held at the end of the ISL season, but with the league's future hanging in the balance, the tournament has been moved up.
India Today
13 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Indian football body drops ISL from 2025-26 calendar, future of league in doubt
The All India Football Federation has dropped its top-tier tournament – the Indian Super League – from its roster for 2025–26. The AIFF, in an official release, put out its calendar for 2025–26, which did not feature the competition, which has been running since to media reports, uncertainty looms over the future of the Indian Super League. Several clubs have been informed by the league's organisers that the next season will not begin until there is clarity on the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), According to the Times of India. A MRA is a legal contract that outlines the ownership and usage rights of a product in use, in this case, the ISL. AIFF Calendar for 2025-26 advertisementFootball Sports Development Limited (FSDL) — a joint venture between Reliance and Star — manages the ISL and serves as the commercial partner of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). According to TOI, the FSDL signed a 15-year MRA with AIFF in 2010, under which it pays the federation either Rs 50 crore annually or 20% of total revenue, whichever is higher. This agreement is set to expire in December 2025. 'Since last week, senior FSDL officials have met club owners individually and informed them that the ISL won't start unless the MRA's future is clarified,' a source told TOI.'It's well known that the MRA can't be finalised overnight. And with the Supreme Court expected to rule on the new AIFF Constitution soon, there's widespread uncertainty,' the source Competitions Calendar 2025–26Junior Boys Tier 1 and Tier 2: 10-07-2025 to 31-07-2025Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2: 10-07-2025 to 31-07-2025Durand Cup: 15-07-2025 to 23-08-2025Super Cup/Federation Cup: 01-09-2025 to 20-09-2025Sub-Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2: 10-08-2025 to 31-08-2025Senior Women's Group Stage: 01-09-2025 to 20-09-2025AIFF Elite Youth League (U14/U16/U18): 01-09-2025 to 31-05-2026Senior Women's Final Round: 01-10-2025 to 15-10-2025I-League 3: 01-10-2025 to 30-11-2025I-League: 19-10-2025 to 30-04-2026Indian Women's League: 25-10-2025 to 30-04-2026Santosh Trophy Group Stage: 05-12-2025 to 20-12-2025Santosh Trophy Final Round: 01-01-2026 to 20-01-2026Indian Women's League 2: 25-01-2026 to 30-04-2026Beach Soccer Championship: 01-02-2026 to 15-02-2026Futsal Club Championship: 01-05-2026 to 20-05-2026Swami Vivekananda U-20 Championship: 01-04-2026 to 31-05-2026Must Watch
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
ISL's future up in the air over MRA deadlock
The ISL kicked off on Oct 12, 2014 and was recognised as India's top tier domestic league by FIFA and AFC in 2019. Mohun Bagan Super Giant won a double of Shield and Trophy in 2024-25, a feat previously only achieved by Mumbai City Panaji: There is growing suspense over the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) after several clubs were told by organisers of Indian football's top-tier league that the next edition will not kick off unless there's clarity on the Master Rights Agreement (MRA). Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), a joint venture between Reliance and Star which runs the league, are commercial partners of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), with whom they signed a 15-year MRA in 2010. According to the agreement, FSDL pays AIFF an annual fee of Rs 50 crore or 20% of the total revenue, whichever is more. The agreement ends in December this year. 'Since last week, senior FSDL officials have met club owners individually and they have been told that ISL won't kick off, unless the future of the MRA is clear,' a source told TOI on Wednesday. 'Everyone knows that the MRA cannot be finalised overnight. Moreover, with Supreme Court expected to finalise the new (AIFF) Constitution, everyone is on tenterhooks.' Since the meetings in Mumbai, clubs have gone slow with their operations and are now re-drawing strategies. While most clubs have kept major player signings for the next season on hold, others are delaying start of their pre-season training, unsure whether the league will kick off on Sept 14, as noted in AIFF's tentative calendar for the 2025-26 season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Should clubs, as expected, push forward their pre-season training, participation in the Durand Cup could be hampered. At least two clubs have verbally told the organisers that it might be difficult for them to participate in Asia's oldest football tournament, which will be played across five states between July 23 and August 23. According to sources, FSDL is keen to continue its association with Indian football, but unlike the previous cash deal, they have now suggested formation of a new holding company that governs and operates the ISL, with participating clubs (60%), FSDL (26%) and AIFF (14%) as the shareholders. 'FSDL reached out to AIFF early this year and had set timelines, according to which the signing of the term sheet was to be completed by April 30,' said the source. In April, the AIFF instead formed an eight-member task force to look into the MRA negotiations with its commercial partner, a move that did not find favour with some members. Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia even told the executive committee to wait till the Supreme Court finalises the new constitution. The Supreme Court later asked AIFF not to take any decision on the renewal of the MRA until the final order, which is expected after the Full Court working days resume from July 14. 'The draft constitution of the AIFF states that India's top league should be managed by the AIFF. The draft also states that the seniormost league should be owned, operated and directly managed by AIFF. Its roles cannot be assigned to any other entity or organisation,' said the official. One club official described the situation as grim. A couple of others though said FSDL could eventually seek a six-month extension and complete the season, providing stakeholders with enough time to prepare for future challenges. 'Everything will depend on the Supreme Court order,' said a club CEO. 'Once the AIFF Constitution is finalised, we have to check the status of the top-tier league. There is also a possibility of elections happening in the next few months, so a lot can change. As clubs, an important stakeholder, it's important that we get at least a year to handle the unexpected changes.' The ISL kicked off on Oct 12, 2014 and was recognised as India's top tier domestic league by FIFA and AFC in 2019.
