The uncertainty surrounding domestic Indian football has prompted the central government to intervene, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya expected to hold a wide-ranging round of meetings with key stakeholders on December 3, according to PTI reports. Representatives of Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, I-League teams, AIFF, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), broadcasters, potential commercial partners and other entities associated with league operations have been asked to participate.
The scheduled discussion comes at a time when Indian football is facing an operational and commercial heel. According to PTI, the crisis intensified after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) failed to secure a new commercial partner to run its domestic leagues, including the Indian Super League, before the expiry of the long-standing Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with FSDL on 8 December.
The government’s intervention follows a Supreme Court directive that requires the sports ministry to mediate and help stakeholders find a workable solution. A source in the ministry told PTI that the series of meetings will be “day-long” and allow each side to present concerns, while the minister is expected to offer recommendations based on the discussions.
The roots of the current impasse date back to July when the FSDL – the organizers and former commercial partners of the ISL – informed the AIFF that it was postponing the league. The decision came amid uncertainty over the renewal of the 15-year MRA, leaving the calendar for the country’s top competition in limbo. The ripple effects have since affected planning, scheduling and business dealings across the football pyramid.
One of the few positive developments during this turmoil, PTI notes, was the Supreme Court’s approval of a new AIFF constitution drafted under the supervision of retired Justice L. Nageswara Rao. The Supreme Court also took note of several key points raised by Rao in his report, stressing that any long-term solution must be in line with global governance standards, including FIFA’s statutory requirements.
In its communication to the AIFF, the sports ministry stressed the need for every major party to be involved in the discussions – including ISL clubs, potential commercial partners, FSDL, broadcasters, OTT platforms and teams from the I-League and lower divisions. It also requested that KPMG India Services LLP, the federation’s transaction advisor, attend the meeting to help clarify financial and structural issues.
According to PTI, six separate meetings were held at the Sports Authority of India headquarters on Wednesday. These include one-on-one meetings with ISL club representatives, I-League teams and FSDL officials, among others. The minister met the I-League clubs a few weeks ago and urged all the parties then to work towards a mutually acceptable solution.
During this earlier interaction, the I-League clubs reportedly raised concerns about governance clarity and sought a single business structure for both leagues. They reiterated their preference for a single league partner to manage the ISL, I-League and lower divisions to simplify administration and long-term planning.
The talks on December 3 are expected to be crucial as the government tries to broker a consensus in an increasingly complex and fragmented domestic football scene.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
December 1, 2025
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