Latest news with #Chhetri
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
ISL on hold: Uncertainty in Indian football ‘scares' players, clubs caught in limbo
When the news first broke that the pre-season training was delayed by a fortnight, Sunil Chhetri 'smiled'. It meant he got more time 'to get in shape' after a lengthy vacation. 'That 'fortnight' has now changed to 'indefinitely' and that smile's been wiped out,' the Bengaluru FC talisman shared. And now, he is 'very concerned' about the 'current situation in Indian football'. The 'situation' Chhetri referred to in his lengthy social media post was about the Indian Super League (ISL). The future top flight of the men's game – and the centrepiece of the Indian football season – is up in the air after the upcoming season was put 'on hold' due to a dispute over an agreement between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Football Sport Development Limited, the joint venture that runs the ISL. Chhetri admitted that 'everybody is scared'. '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, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with,' he wrote. 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… — Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) July 16, 2025 Indeed, at a time when clubs would have been finalising their player signings and coach appointments and the fans would wait in anticipation for the league schedule, the common phrases whistling about in the pre-season debates are courtroom jargon like 'verdict' and 'order'. All eyes are on the Supreme Court's final order on the AIFF's constitution, which is expected on Friday, July 18. The governing body has the ongoing case as one of the reasons why an agreement with the FSDL is still pending. At the same time, the clubs are aware that the apex court's verdict is not a magic pill that will solve all issues. 'But at least that gets the ball rolling,' FC Goa CEO, Ravi Puskur, told The Indian Express. 'Neither the AIFF nor the FSDL can act, and so the clubs are left in a limbo. The Supreme Court removing that block obviously allows the two parties to talk.' Goa are one of two sides slated to compete in continental competitions this season, the other being Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who have qualified for the group stage proper of the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL 2) as ISL champions. Goa, on the other hand, have qualified for the playoff match as winners of the Super Cup. They are set to face Oman's Al-Seeb at home on August 13. The group stage begins September 16. 'While we are trying to manage our expenses as best as we can, we also want to put our best foot forward in the tournament,' said Puskur. He said that the club commences training at the end of this week and don't want to distract players or coaching staff from football matters. 'We keep working with them until someone tells us otherwise, that the league is not to go ahead this year. For, then we have another conversation that we need to have with them (the coaching staff and the players) given that they have a commitment and there is a guaranteed fixture we have to play on the 13th of August,' Puskur said. Bagan, on the other hand, are planning to start their pre-season training around the first week of August for the ACL 2. With regards to determining any schedule for the league itself, a source within the club told this paper that they are waiting for the Supreme Court verdict. Bagan are also among the six ISL clubs that have not pulled out of the Durand Cup, slated to start on July 23 with fellow Kolkata giants East Bengal facing South United in the season opener. However, they are fielding their junior side for the initial stages, with some seniors expected to join for the knockouts. Welcoming our new boys with the mandatory tunnel…#StrongerAsOne #8States1United — NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) July 13, 2025 NorthEast United, the defending champions of the Durand Cup, have already started their pre-season training. 'Our season is on,' CEO Mandar Tamhane told this paper, stating that they have announced their pre-season schedule and are, for now, trying to maintain as much normalcy as possible. 'What is clear in front of me is that I have a Durand Cup, which is part of the AIFF calendar, and I have to prepare myself for that. What is going to happen, nobody can say anything about it till the time we have certain things which are dependent on the ruling of the honourable Supreme Court. I prefer to prepare for things that are in front of me rather than worry about how to prepare for something you don't know about,' he said. Chennaiyin FC have pulled out of the competition, one of seven ISL clubs to have done so, along with Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, Odisha FC, Mohammedan Sporting, Hyderabad FC and Mumbai City FC. Sources within the club cite the uncertainty around ISL as a direct reason for the decision. Chennaiyin have decided to start their pre-season training approximately six to eight weeks before the new ISL season begins, once the dates are announced. The club has also paused any negotiations with potential foreign signings, as have Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC, and the embattled Hyderabad FC, which are also grappling with a desire to relocate to Delhi. There's an air of anxiety as each day passes due to the uncertainty. But Chhetri appealed to 'everyone involved with Indian football' to 'stay calm. 'We'll ride this storm together,' he reassured. Rohit Mundayur is a Copy Editor with the Sports Team at The Indian Express. He works with the online team and is based out of Delhi. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Sunil Chhetri sounds alarm on Indian football's troubled state and uncertainty over ISL: ‘I may not have all answers…'
Sunil Chhetri took to social media to express his concerns over the ongoing "uncertainty" surrounding the state of Indian football, sharing a heartfelt note reflecting on the current situation. The Indian Super League has been put on hold, which Chhetri feels is quite concerning. Sunil Chhetri wrote a letter on the uncertainty over ISL.(PTI) Chhetri made an honest admission that his initial reaction to the news of the delayed pre-season was a smile, as the prospect of an extended break immediately crossed his mind, but it changed soon. "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 to get in shape," Chhetri wrote on X. The Indian football icon plays for Bengaluru FC in the league. He revealed that he has received texts from players and support staff from his club and other teams, too. "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, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with," he added. The 2025–26 season of the ISL has been put on hold due to ongoing uncertainty regarding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the league organisers and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The ISL usually takes place in the September to April window, but the current MRA between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which organises the event, and the AIFF is scheduled to expire on December 8, 2025, by which time the league would be into its third month. The decision followed a Supreme Court directive instructing the AIFF not to enter new negotiations over the MRA with FSDL—its commercial partner that operates the ISL—until a verdict is reached in the case concerning AIFF's draft constitution. FSDL signed a 15-year MRA with AIFF in 2010, and currently pays ₹50 crore annually in exchange for broadcasting, management, and commercial rights across Indian football, including the national team. 'We'll ride this storm together': Sunil Chhetri During these testing times, Chhetri urged the Indian football community to stay calm and hold firm, expressing hope that the season would soon get back on track. He acknowledged the efforts being made behind the scenes and extended his support to those whose livelihoods depend on the game, urging everyone to stick together and keep working hard. "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, 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 concluded.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
India's football ecosystem is scared with uncertainty: Chhetri on ISL pause
Former captain and top striker Sunil Chhetri on Wednesday said the current state of "uncertainty" in Indian football is very concerning and the sport's ecosystem is "worried, hurt, and scared" by the top-tier ISL being put on hold indefinitely. Chhetri, who turns up for Bengaluru FC in the league, said he has been inundated with phone calls and messages expressing apprehensions about the future of the sport in the country. "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 40-year-old Chhetri posted on X. "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. 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… — Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) July 16, 2025 "Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with," he added. The ISL (Indian Super League) put the 2025-26 season "on hold" due to uncertainty surrounding the renewal of Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the event organisers and the All India Football Federation. The league normally runs from September to April, and the current MRA between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which organises the event, and the AIFF is scheduled to expire on December 8, 2025, by which time the ISL would be into its third month. This was after a Supreme Court directive to AIFF in which the body was asked not to negotiate new terms of the MRA with FSDL, the apex governing body's commercial partner running the ISL, until a final judgment is delivered in the AIFF draft constitution case. FSDL is also the commercial partner of AIFF, and they signed a 15-year MRA in 2010. According to the MRA, FSDL pays the AIFF Rs 50 crore annually, and in turn gets the rights to broadcast, manage and commercialise Indian football, which also includes the national team. Chhetri said he was on vacation when he first learnt about the league being put on hold. "...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 to get in shape. "That 'fortnight' has now changed to 'indefinitely' and that smile's been wiped out. 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," he said. The star player, who has come out of international retirement to bolster the Indian team that is enduring continuous poor results, urged for patience nonetheless. "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, 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 signed off. The AIFF has said it is "conscious" of ISL's importance to the football ecosystem but had to respect the law of the land by following the Supreme Court directive. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Sunil Chhetri says ISL pause is concerning, India's football ecosystem is ‘scared'
Former captain and top striker Sunil Chhetri on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) said the current state of "uncertainty" in Indian football is very concerning and the sport's ecosystem is "worried, hurt, and scared" by the top-tier ISL being put on hold indefinitely. Chhetri, who turns up for Bengaluru FC in the league, said he has been inundated with phone calls and messages expressing apprehensions about the future of the sport in the country. "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 40-year-old Chhetri posted on X. 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… — Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) July 16, 2025 "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, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with," he added. MRA renewal issues The ISL (Indian Super League) put the 2025-26 season "on hold" due to uncertainty surrounding the renewal of Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the event organisers and the All India Football Federation. The league normally runs from September to April, and the current MRA between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which organises the event, and the AIFF is scheduled to expire on December 8, 2025, by which time the ISL would be into its third month. This was after a Supreme Court directive to AIFF in which the body was asked not to negotiate new terms of the MRA with FSDL, the apex governing body's commercial partner running the ISL, until a final judgment is delivered in the AIFF draft constitution case. FSDL deal FSDL is also the commercial partner of AIFF, and they signed a 15-year MRA in 2010. According to the MRA, FSDL pays the AIFF ₹50 crore annually, and in turn gets the rights to broadcast, manage and commercialise Indian football, which also includes the national team. Chhetri said he was on vacation when he first learnt about the league being put on hold. "...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 to get in shape. "That 'fortnight' has now changed to 'indefinitely' and that smile's been wiped out. 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," he said. The star player, who has come out of international retirement to bolster the Indian team that is enduring continuous poor results, urged for patience nonetheless. "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, 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 signed off. The AIFF has said it is "conscious" of ISL's importance to the football ecosystem but had to respect the law of the land by following the Supreme Court directive.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Sunil Chhetri Breaks Silence Over ISL Postponement: 'Everybody In Indian Football Ecosystem Is Worried'
Sunil Chhetri has expressed concern over Indian football's future as ISL is put on hold due to contractual uncertainties. Star Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri has said that the current situation that Indian football finds itself in is very concerning, after the Indian Super League was put on hold indefinitely, in what has come as a major setback in Indian football's latest series of downfalls. Chhetri, who turns up for Bengaluru FC in ISL, said that he has been inundated with phone calls and messages expressing apprehensions about the future of football in India, which is under a serious cloud. On Friday, FSDL had said that in the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, they find themselves unable to plan, organise, or commercialise the ISL. '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," Chhetri tweeted on Wednesday afternoon. 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… — Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) July 16, 2025 '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," Chhetri said. '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," Chhetri added. The ISL put the next season on hold because of uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the MRA between the event organisers and the AIFF. ISL runs from September to April, and the current MRA between FSDL, which organises the tournament and the AIFF is scheduled to expire on December 8. This was after a SC directive to the federation in which the latter was asked not to negotiate new terms of the MRA with FSDL, their commercial partner running the ISL, until a final judgment is delivered in their draft constitution case. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 13:16 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
