'Compelled to review commitment to league': ISL clubs, AIFF fail to reach consensus on club-led model

New Delhi: The Indian Super League (ISL) clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) failed to reach an agreement on the club-led model proposed by 13 of the 14 clubs. East Bengal, the ISL champions, are the only club that didn't co-sign the proposal. The meeting was held in Kolkata with club executives and AIFF administrators attending either in person or virtually.

Subsequently, AIFF informed the clubs that they will seek the approval of the General Body tomorrow (May 23), during the SGM, to negotiate with Genius Sports for the 15+5 year commercial rights deal.



In a social media post, the clubs said, "With deep concern and disappointment, the clubs of the Indian Super League wish to state that, given the continued uncertainty surrounding professional football in India, we are now compelled to review the extent of our commitment to the league beyond the current season."

The social media post has been issued by Odisha FC, Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, SC Delhi. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal, NorthEast United, Jamshedpur FC, Inter Kashi, Punjab FC have not posted it at the time of writing.

A source tracking developments told TimesofIndia.com that AIFF continue to lean towards Genius Sports' proposal and are not keen on giving the club-led model a chance. Additionally, the governing body also conveyed the intention to pocket Rs 1 crore participation fee from the 14 clubs. As a result, AIFF will earn to the tune of Rs 26 crore annually, which they argue will be used towards the development of the ecosystem and operations of running the ISL.

The ISL clubs are now planning on sending a letter to the AIFF where they will propose that a decision not be taken on the commercial rights deal. At the same time, they've not ruled out the possibility of going to court.

"Our clubs have consistently invested in Indian football, often in difficult and uncertain circumstances, and remain deeply committed to its future. However, the continued absence of structural certainty, commercial clarity and long-term visibility has made it increasingly difficult to justify the financial and operational commitments required to compete sustainably," continued the social media post.

"Indian football has the foundation to be far greater than it is today. It is therefore disappointing that those who have built, funded, promoted and sustained the league continue to face uncertainty over the very structure within which they are expected to operate.

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"At the heart of Indian football's future must be a financially sustainable league. The clubs have proposed an alternative model
which we believe is credible, constructive and worthy of being evaluated on merit, alongside any other proposal before the AIFF.

"We urge the AIFF to acknowledge the realities faced by those funding and operating the league, and work collaboratively towards a framework that is sustainable, inclusive and built with all stakeholders in mind," continued the social media post.

The clubs have already said that they're staring at shutting down if the economic reality of the league doesn't change soon.

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