ISL clubs ask for relegation to be paused for 3-5 years; request stability

New Delhi: All 14 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on Friday wrote to the Sports Ministry to provide an update on the prevailing situation in Indian football's top division. In the letter, among other things, the clubs have asked for relegation to be scrapped for the upcoming season and for three to five seasons thereafter.

The clubs have asked the Sports Ministry to convey their message to the Supreme Court through the Solicitor-General of India.



As TimesofIndia.com had reported, the clubs had argued that the upcoming season - due to start on February 14 in a truncated manner - should be considered a "virtual force majeure."

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"The Indian Super League, in its revised structure, is entering a phase that is materially different from prior seasons in terms of commercial certainty, governance arrangements, and allocation of financial risk. The league is currently operating in an environment marked by structural transition, absence of assured commercial revenues, and significantly heightened financial exposure for participating clubs," said the 14 ISL clubs in the joint letter.

"It is respectfully submitted that the league requires a defined stabilisation period of approximately three (3) to five (5) years to rebuild commercial confidence, establish predictable operating conditions, allow owners to recalibrate long-term investment plans, and restore sporting and institutional stability."

"In these circumstances, the current season is more appropriately characterised as a “virtual force majeure” season, necessitated by factors beyond the reasonable control of the clubs, rather than a season conducted under standard commercial and sporting assumptions. Attaching irreversible sporting and financial consequences, such as relegation to outcomes arising from such unequal conditions, would risk undermining both sporting integrity and investor confidence," continued the letter.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had brokered the start of the ISL season on January 6 after a meeting with the AIFF and ISL club CEOs. The intervention was necessary after the clubs and the AIFF failed to agree on the competition's start date because there was no commercial partner.

The current AIFF Constitution, ratified by the Supreme Court, mandates promotion and relegation in India's top division. It would also put the ISL in compliance with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Statutes.

In 2019, AIFF, clubs, and then commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) had accepted AFC's proposal to have relegation from the 2024-25 season. ISL, however, has seen promotion of I-League (the second division) champions from the 2023-24 season, with Inter Kashi being the latest team to go up the ladder.

Financial strain, access to stadiums

Without FSDL, the league's commercial partner since 2014, the clubs are already reeling under uncertainty in revenues, access to stadiums, and a fixed broadcaster. Despite this, the clubs have agreed to take another season of a hit on the balance sheet to prevent further disruption. The ISL season will get underway five months later than originally planned.

"At present, clubs are operating without clarity or certainty on central commercial inflows, broadcast-linked revenues, or league-wide sponsorship support. Simultaneously, clubs are being required to absorb a larger share of operational costs related to league participation, match operations, logistics, and compliance.

"In this context, the financial stress on club owners has increased significantly, and participation in the current season is being undertaken primarily as a measure to preserve the ecosystem rather than as a commercially viable exercise," says the note.


Additionally, the clubs have asked for the government's intervention in access to stadiums, with related costs - police/security, fire safety, civic services - going up as well.

"The clubs respectfully seek the Ministry’s support in:

● Facilitating access to stadiums and training facilities for ISL matches on concessional, subsidised, or waived terms for the next 3 years.

● Extending support, in coordination with State Governments and local authorities, for the provision of essential match-day services such as police, fire and civic support on concessional or waived terms; and

● Ensuring timely availability of venues and supporting infrastructure required for the smooth conduct of matches."

Other points raised in the letter relate to a reduction in costs for the short and medium term: rationalisation of club licensing requirements, commercial support through PSUs, and waiver of uplink and broadcast-related charges.


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