AIFF to take ISL governance dispute to Supreme Court as season paused

The All India Football Federation AIFF will bring the unresolved dispute over the Indian Super League’s governance and structure before the Supreme Court on Monday, even as the league remains suspended amid a stalled Master Rights Agreement with its commercial partner. The court has reserved judgment on the AIFF’s draft constitution, while a broader hearing is scheduled to address the future of the top-tier competition and the financial hardship facing players and staff as clubs warn they risk shutting down operations if the impasse endures.

The central issue is the delay in renewing the Master Rights Agreement MRA between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited FSDL, the ISL’s organisers. The MRA’s renewal has been held up after court observations and procedural questions surrounding the federation’s governance. With the current MRA due to expire, ISL organizers paused the 202526 season, prompting several clubs to withhold salaries and suspend first-team activities to manage unsustainable costs. In recent days, AIFF officials have said they would present the clubs’ concerns to the Supreme Court and seek guidance on commercial continuity and the league’s future structure.