Stand united in our efforts to get ISL season underway: Footballers issue joint statement

Veteran India striker Sunil Chhetri has called on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to take urgent measures to restart the Indian Super League (ISL) season, as uncertainty continues to grip the country’s top-tier football competition.

In a rare show of unity, several of India’s leading footballers issued a joint statement urging authorities to ensure the league resumes without further delay.

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“We, professional footballers who play in the Indian Super League, are coming together to make a plea, and more importantly to send the message that we stand united in our efforts to get the Indian Super League season underway. To put it simply, we want to play, and now,” Chhetri wrote in a social media post, echoed by Sandesh Jhingan, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and others.

The joint appeal highlights the growing frustration within India’s football community as the ISL, which traditionally begins in September, remains stalled well into November. The deadlock follows the AIFF’s unsuccessful attempt to award the league’s commercial rights, with no bidders coming forward in response to the recent tender. The impasse has left clubs, players, and stakeholders facing prolonged uncertainty.

“Our anger, frustration and distress has now been replaced by desperation. Desperation to play the game we love, in front of people who mean everything to us — our families, our fans,” the players said in their collective statement.

“This is a plea to all those involved in running our sport in the country, to do whatever it takes to get the football season underway. India needs its competitive football now more than ever.

“As for us, we remain committed, professional and ready to walk out of that tunnel and onto the pitch the moment we’re told we can. All we ask of those running our beautiful game, to match our desperation with honest intent. We’ve found ourselves in a very dark tunnel for long. We could do with a little light,” it added.

The AIFF’s failure to attract a commercial partner by the November 7 deadline has triggered a major crisis in Indian football. The absence of a functioning league has left players without competitive action for months, while several clubs, including Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Kerala Blasters — have suspended training. Others, such as Chennaiyin FC and Inter Kashi, have halted operations and delayed player payments.

Under mounting pressure, the AIFF is now preparing to approach the Supreme Court to seek amendments to the ISL’s governing framework. Justice L. Nageswara Rao, who oversees AIFF affairs as per the Court’s directive, has reportedly held discussions with officials to identify a path forward for resuming the league.