NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to raise the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) issue before the Supreme Court on Monday.
The apex court has reserved its verdict on the draft AIFF constitution, with a hearing scheduled for Monday.
Hundreds of Indian and foreign footballers remain in limbo as the Masters Rights Agreement (MRA) between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the AIFF, governing the ISL, has not yet been signed. In response, several clubs have decided to withhold salaries for players and staff until the deadlock is resolved.
“A discussion was held between the legal representatives of the AIFF and ISL clubs on Thursday, August 14, 2025,” the AIFF stated on ‘X’. “It was agreed that the clubs’ concerns regarding the delay in the 2025-26 ISL season and the resulting hardship for players and stakeholders will be brought to the Hon’ble Supreme Court next week for consideration.”
An AIFF source added that the federation is prepared to file a written application if requested by the court.
“Yes, we will attempt to mention the matter, but since the judgment is reserved, it depends on the judges’ view. If they see merit, they may ask for a formal application. The difficulties faced by players, clubs, and Indian football need to be highlighted,” a club source told reporters here.
On Wednesday, the AIFF had directed its legal team and the ISL clubs to discuss concerns over the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming season.
Last week, 11 ISL clubs urged the AIFF to present the current situation in Indian football to the Supreme Court, citing the pending case related to the national federation’s constitution. In their letter, the clubs warned that they may approach the court independently if the AIFF did not act.
On August 13, the AIFF responded, asking the clubs’ and federation’s legal teams to meet and decide the next steps.
The clubs’ request came a day after the AIFF proposed holding the Super Cup in September to ensure competitive matches, following FSDL’s “pause” on the ISL due to uncertainty over renewing the 2010 MRA.
The crisis escalated after FSDL announced on July 11 that the 2025-26 ISL season would be “on hold,” prompting at least three clubs to suspend first-team operations or withhold salaries for players and staff.
