The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) and Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have resumed regular communication after more than a decade of limited interaction. Officials from both sides say continued talks are necessary as the federation pushes ahead with a long-term plan for the league.
AIFF has proposed a 20-year framework for the ISL. The proposal has triggered disagreements, particularly over control and decision-making powers. Despite this, clubs and the federation have continued discussions and agreed to proceed with the upcoming season.
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Dispute over ISL governance charter
The immediate disagreement centres on the ISL governance charter circulated by AIFF. Some clubs accepted the document, saying it was drafted by lawyers and aligned with the AIFF constitution cleared by the Supreme Court, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
Other clubs objected to clauses requiring AIFF’s affirmative vote on all governing council decisions and on management committee approvals involving expenditure above ₹1 crore or commitments longer than three years.
In written feedback, one of the original ISL clubs said no decision could pass without AIFF’s consent under the draft, effectively limiting club authority. Another club warned that such provisions could deter commercial partners by reducing the league’s autonomy.
Following objections, AIFF agreed to remove its affirmative vote requirement in areas linked to revenue, sponsorship, broadcast and scheduling. This concession was included in the long-term proposal shared with clubs on December 26. Under the same proposal, AIFF has agreed to cover a percentage of the league’s operating costs.
Clubs step in to keep league running
All 14 ISL clubs have confirmed participation this season. AIFF will bear 40% of the league’s expenses, according to officials familiar with the arrangement.
Clubs have also taken on operational responsibilities. Representatives from Bengaluru FC, Punjab FC, Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa worked together to prepare fixture drafts and submitted them to AIFF for approval. Club officials said this task would usually fall to the league’s commercial partner but was handled internally due to the current situation.
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey had earlier told Hindustan Times that restarting the league was necessary so players could return to competition and fans could attend matches.
From no meetings to regular contact
Until August last year, AIFF and ISL clubs had not held formal meetings for several seasons. AIFF had little involvement in league operations, and routine coordination had stopped.
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After the league was paused, meetings began. These included discussions with an AIFF-appointed committee tasked with finding ways to resume the competition. Letters were exchanged, some critical in tone, but talks continued.
AIFF has now agreed to hold governing council meetings four times a year. Club officials said this was a change from previous seasons, when clubs had limited input on how the league was run.
Officials from both sides said discussions are ongoing and that unresolved issues remain. For now, communication has not broken down, and the league will proceed.
