Indian club football is facing a serious crisis. On Wednesday, Chennaiyin FC announced that it is suspending all operations. This came just days after Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC stopped paying salaries to their first-team players and staff. The main reason for this chaos is the uncertainty around the Indian Super League (ISL).
Chennaiyin FC shared their decision on social media. The club said it was a very hard call but necessary. “We care deeply about our players, coaches, staff, and their families,” the statement read. The club also said they hope to return soon if there is clarity about the league’s future.
Clubs Struggle as ISL Remains on Hold
Bengaluru FC, home to Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, also made a tough decision. They suspended the contracts of their players and staff. “The lack of clarity has forced us to take this step,” said Bengaluru FC. The club urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) to solve the issue quickly.
Odisha FC was the first to act, deciding to stop salary payments last week.
The ISL was officially put on hold in July 2025. FSDL said the decision was due to the uncertain status of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with AIFF. The current 15-year MRA, signed in 2010, will end on December 18, 2025.
Eight ISL clubs have written to the AIFF asking for a clear plan. These clubs include Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Kerala Blasters, Jamshedpur FC, Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, and Punjab FC. They have asked for a meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday. However, Chennaiyin FC is not expected to attend.
The Supreme Court has also asked AIFF not to renew the MRA until a ruling is made in an ongoing case related to AIFF’s draft constitution.
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AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey recently said the 2025–26 ISL season would happen, but he did not give a date. For now, the future of Indian football remains uncertain.
