Picture Credit: X
Fans were excited for the 12th edition of the Indian Super League, as the ISL has been the pinnacle of Indian football and has been the most viewed football tournament in India since its inaugural edition in 2014. However, the footballing fraternity was left disappointed after the FSDL on Friday, July 11 announced that the 2025-26 edition will be kept on hold and it will not commence until there is clarity over the status of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) signed with the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Just a day after the FSDL informed the ISL clubs regarding the tournament’s status, the AIFF released a statement which stated,“The AIFF and its stakeholders will take all possible steps and do all things within their power to ensure continuity of the ISL in the best interests of Indian football." The AIFF, in its statement also requested the understanding of all the stakeholders involved in the Indian Super League till the time it is kept on hold.
AIFF instructed by Supreme Court to withhold the signing of new MRA agreement until its order
According to the statement of AIFF, they were advised by their legal counsel that the Honourable Supreme Court of India had made an observation that the renewal of the MRA agreement should not be done between the AIFF and the FSDL till the time the Supreme Court orders them to sign a new agreement. Due to the same, no further actions were taken by the AIFF and FSDL regarding the renewal of contract.
The AIFF also stated that they know the importance of the ISL towards the development of the sport in the country and to take Indian football into the next level. Meanwhile, they look to ensure the importance of law in the country and obey the instructions of the Supreme Court till the time they make a decision about the renewal of the agreement.
