New Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI): Ten Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have expressed their frustration over the delay in the tender process for selecting a new commercial partner for the All India Football Federation (AIFF), calling it a "breach of trust" and demanding immediate clarity on the issue.
On August 28, during a Supreme Court hearing concerning AIFF's constitution, the AIFF and ISL organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), provided a "consensual resolution" agreeing to conduct an open and transparent tender process for selecting a new commercial partner to manage the top-tier league. The terms agreed upon included completing this process by October 15 to allow the new league season to begin in December.
However, with the deadline now passed, the clubs — Chennaiyin FC, Punjab FC, Hyderabad FC, Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters, Odisha FC, Jamshedpur FC, and Mumbai City FC — criticized AIFF for its lack of accountability and transparency. Notably, Kolkata clubs Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting did not participate in the letter.
"Following the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, along with the joint submission by AIFF and FSDL, it was explicitly stated that an open and transparent tender process should be initiated and completed by October 15, 2025, to appoint a new commercial partner for the league," the clubs mentioned in their letter to the AIFF president and executive committee.
"It is clear that we are yet to even begin this process, let alone complete it. The lack of communication from AIFF has been deeply disappointing, causing further erosion of confidence among clubs and other stakeholders."
"Moreover, the current situation represents a breach of trust that risks undoing the progress made in professionalizing Indian football over the past decade." In its order on September 2, the SC had directed former judge Justice (retd) Nageswara Rao to oversee the tender process. AIFF then formed a panel headed by Justice Rao and selected KPMG India Services LLP to assist in managing the national federation's commercial rights monetization process.
The AIFF also decided to organize the Super Cup tournament from October 25 to November 22, involving clubs from multiple tiers to ensure the football calendar in the country stays timely and maintains competitive continuity.
The 10 clubs expressed disappointment over the tender process delay after they agreed to participate in the Super Cup "in good faith."
"While the Super Cup has been organized and clubs agreed to participate in good faith, initiating teams at this stage has involved significant logistical and contractual implications — from assembling squads and securing venues to operational commitments and re-engaging staff and vendors," the clubs stated.
"These actions were taken trusting AIFF would honor its submission to the Supreme Court, providing clarity on the league's immediate future. But so far, no tender document has been released, nor has there been any communication about the next steps or transparency on the current process stage."
The clubs noted that the uncertainty surrounding the tender process severely impacts financial planning, sponsorship discussions, and player commitments.
"We want to reiterate that clubs have consistently shown their willingness to support the larger ecosystem of Indian football, but this goodwill cannot continue to be taken for granted." they added.
"The ambiguity has made financial planning, sponsorship discussions, and player commitments nearly impossible to sustain. We, therefore, urge AIFF to clarify the tender process status and proposed timeline for completing the selection process urgently."
"It's deeply disappointing that such a letter has to be written again. The persistent lack of clarity leaves all stakeholders with no option but to demand accountability and transparency in the sport's governance."
The domestic game's crisis surfaced after FSDL, ISL organisers, and AIFF's commercial partner, "put on hold" the 2025-26 season on July 11 due to uncertainties over renewing the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with AIFF, leading at least three clubs to pause first-team operations or suspend player and staff salaries.
The current MRA, signed back in 2010, is set to expire in December 2025.
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