As of now the future of the ISL as well the second-tier I-League remains in the dark even though the sports ministry has assured stakeholders that the leagues will take place.
Government will not be funding the Indian Super League (ISL), sports ministry has reportedly made this thing clear to all the stakeholders involved. India’s top-tier football competition which usually starts in September has not yet begun and there are no indications that a breakthrough will be coming soon.
According to a report in the Times of India, the sports ministry has ruled out using central funds to support the All India Football Federation (AIFF), club owners and other stakeholders. This developments comes after the
ministry had ensured that leagues across tiers would start and that the government is committed to it.
However, as of now the future of the ISL as well the second-tier I-League remains in the dark.
‘Govt can’t fund ISL’
It has been made clear to the clubs and other stakeholders that government will not be opening up its coffers to revive the ISL and other leagues.
“The ministry can’t help in funding and running of the league. That has to be done by the stakeholders involved,” a source informed the Times of India.
The ministry has advised that the clubs should fund the interim expenses themselves and wait till a new sponsorship deal is struck. The amount that the clubs spend now can then be readjusted after a new commercial sponsor is brought on board.
ISL-FSDL contract officially ends
On Monday, December 8, the 15-year contract between the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) officially came to an end.
AIFF has not been able to either renew contract with FSDL or find a new sponsor for the leagues, leading to a crisis in Indian football. This has forced multiple clubs including defending champions Mohun Bagan SG to suspend first-team operations.
Reports recently said that the
clubs have even offered to run the league on their own.
The Supreme Court is also hearing the matter with the ministry submitting a status report to the bench on Monday.
