Former India captain Sunil Chhetri has urged everyone in the Indian football ecosystem to stay united and weather the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL), after Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) announced the 2025–26 season has been placed on hold.
The FSDL, which organises the ISL, cited unresolved negotiations over its Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), set to expire in December 2025, as the reason for the suspension. The impasse has left clubs without clarity on scheduling, forcing many to halt pre-season preparations and withdraw from domestic competitions like the Durand Cup.
In a letter to the participant clubs, FSDL informed that it is forced to put ISL 2025-26 on hold because it is “unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025–26 ISL season” because no agreement has been reached regarding the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), which was to expire on December 8, 2025, with the AIFF.
Amid the growing concern, Chhetri, who represents Bengaluru FC in the ISL, admitted the news initially came as a personal relief before turning into a cause for collective worry.
“When my phone went off a few weeks ago informing us of a delay in pre-season by a fortnight, I must admit it made me smile. And that’s because I was on vacation, hadn’t moved as much as I would have liked to, and hadn’t been eating as clean as I usually do. I had more time than I had bargained for to get in shape.
“That ‘fortnight’ has now changed to ‘indefinitely,’ and that smile’s been wiped out. It began with worrying about how I am on borrowed time with what I have left in the tank. But speaking with players from across clubs, I’ve realised that my selfish problem isn’t as important.
“The current situation that Indian football finds itself in is very concerning. I’ve received a flurry of texts from players, staff members, physios, masseurs – not just from my club, but from other clubs as well. Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, and scared about the uncertainty we are faced with,” Chhetri posted on social media.
Despite the grim situation, the veteran striker remains hopeful that the authorities will resolve the impasse and get the domestic football season back on track.
“I know that the think tank and all those involved in running the sport are working to get the football season up and running, and I’m hopeful that there is a solid fix sooner rather than later.
“I may not have all the answers, but my message to all those involved with Indian football — and more importantly, the ones whose livelihood depends on it, the players, staff, kitmen, masseurs, medical teams, production crews, and operations staff — please stay calm. We’ll ride this storm together. Stick together and look out for each other. Keep training and getting better. Football has to resume soon. It will,” he added.