The future of Indian football’s premier competition, the Indian Super League (ISL), now hangs in the balance. On Friday, the final day for bid submissions, not a single organization — including Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) participated in the tender process. As a result, the fate of the ISL now rests with the upcoming decision of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
শনির দৃষ্টিতে ভারতীয় ফুটবল! অনিশ্চিয়তার মুখে দেশের শীর্ষ লিগ
Initially, the deadline for bid submission was set for November 5. However, following requests from multiple organizations, the AIFF’s tender committee extended it to November 7. There was hope that FSDL or some other entity might submit a bid at the last moment. But when no bids came in by Friday, the ISL’s future became even more uncertain.
Sources revealed that before the bid deadline, FSDL had sent nearly 200 questions to the AIFF’s tender committee, which were answered in detail. Still, major disagreements remained between the two sides on key issues.
The biggest points of contention were financial obligations and the promotion-relegation system. FSDL raised objections to the requirement of paying ₹37.5 crore annually, but the committee made it clear that this payment was mandatory. Additionally, the federation firmly stated that, as per the Supreme Court’s directive, India’s top-tier football league must include both a championship and a relegation system.
Meanwhile, clubs and vendors — who usually begin preparations well in advance of the ISL season — now find themselves in limbo. Many in the football community believe that FSDL might only be willing to take up responsibility if it can do so on its own terms.
This uncertainty has raised pressing questions: Will the ISL take place at all? If so, when? Experts feel that if no organization steps forward by late November, it will be nearly impossible to start the league before the end of January or February. The AIFF’s next move will therefore determine the direction — and perhaps the very survival — of India’s biggest football league.
🚨 AIFF Statement 🔊#IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/z0da2txWIo
— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) November 7, 2025