ISL’s future up in the air over MRA deadlock | Goa News

Panaji: There is growing suspense over the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) after several clubs were told by organisers of Indian football’s top-tier league that the next edition will not kick off unless there’s clarity on the Master Rights Agreement (MRA).Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), a joint venture between Reliance and Star which runs the league, are commercial partners of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), with whom they signed a 15-year MRA in 2010. According to the agreement, FSDL pays AIFF an annual fee of Rs 50 crore or 20% of the total revenue, whichever is more.The agreement ends in December this year.“Since last week, senior FSDL officials have met club owners individually and they have been told that ISL won’t kick off, unless the future of the MRA is clear,” a source told TOI on Wednesday. “Everyone knows that the MRA cannot be finalised overnight. Moreover, with Supreme Court expected to finalise the new (AIFF) Constitution, everyone is on tenterhooks.”Since the meetings in Mumbai, clubs have gone slow with their operations and are now re-drawing strategies. While most clubs have kept major player signings for the next season on hold, others are delaying start of their pre-season training, unsure whether the league will kick off on Sept 14, as noted in AIFF’s tentative calendar for the 2025-26 season.Should clubs, as expected, push forward their pre-season training, participation in the Durand Cup could be hampered. At least two clubs have verbally told the organisers that it might be difficult for them to participate in Asia’s oldest football tournament, which will be played across five states between July 23 and August 23.According to sources, FSDL is keen to continue its association with Indian football, but unlike the previous cash deal, they have now suggested formation of a new holding company that governs and operates the ISL, with participating clubs (60%), FSDL (26%) and AIFF (14%) as the shareholders.“FSDL reached out to AIFF early this year and had set timelines, according to which the signing of the term sheet was to be completed by April 30,” said the source.In April, the AIFF instead formed an eight-member task force to look into the MRA negotiations with its commercial partner, a move that did not find favour with some members. Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia even told the executive committee to wait till the Supreme Court finalises the new constitution.The Supreme Court later asked AIFF not to take any decision on the renewal of the MRA until the final order, which is expected after the Full Court working days resume from July 14.“The draft constitution of the AIFF states that India’s top league should be managed by the AIFF. The draft also states that the seniormost league should be owned, operated and directly managed by AIFF. Its roles cannot be assigned to any other entity or organisation,” said the official.One club official described the situation as grim. A couple of others though said FSDL could eventually seek a six-month extension and complete the season, providing stakeholders with enough time to prepare for future challenges.“Everything will depend on the Supreme Court order,” said a club CEO. “Once the AIFF Constitution is finalised, we have to check the status of the top-tier league. There is also a possibility of elections happening in the next few months, so a lot can change. As clubs, an important stakeholder, it’s important that we get at least a year to handle the unexpected changes.”The ISL kicked off on Oct 12, 2014 and was recognised as India’s top tier domestic league by FIFA and AFC in 2019.