ISL Clubs Request AIFF To Modify Commercial Clauses At Dec 20 AGM

Twelve Indian Super League clubs on Thursday requested the All India Football Federation to amend the ‘commercially restrictive’ clauses of its constitution during the Annual General Meeting on December

20, highlighting the risk of the domestic game collapsing if immediate action isn’t taken.

All ISL teams, except East Bengal, stated that if the AIFF cannot amend these clauses or provide a commercially viable framework, it should transfer the long-term rights of the top-tier league to the clubs.

“…the AIFF should either expressly support the removal of commercially restrictive clauses in the Constitution or undertake these amendments at the forthcoming AGM on 20 December 2025,” the clubs wrote in a letter to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.

“Thereafter, the federation, with support from the Government and the Clubs, should transparently identify an appropriate commercial partner.

“If the AIFF is unwilling or unable to support the necessary amendments or provide a commercially viable framework for the league, the only logical solution is for the Federation to transfer the long-term rights of the league to the Clubs.”

The ISL clubs’ letter followed a recent request to the AIFF to consider a framework in which the clubs could collectively form a consortium to own or operate the league as majority owners, along with the national federation and aligned investors, if a suitable commercial partner is not found.

A recent tender by the AIFF for the commercial rights of the ISL did not attract any bidders.

“Clubs must have commercial flexibility, including the ability to attract sponsors, investors, and long-term partners. This is impossible until the commercially restrictive clauses in the AIFF Constitution are amended or removed. Without this change, no sustainable league structure can be built, regardless of good intentions,” the letter said.

In their earlier letter of December 5, the clubs asserted that under the new AIFF Constitution, the national federation “possesses the authority to amend its own statutes, including those impeding the commercial operation of the league, without requiring judicial directions.”

The latest letter, written by Mohun Bagan Super Giant director Vinay Chopra on behalf of all the clubs, stated that they are “fully prepared — consistent with global best practices — to either solely or jointly operate, commercialise, and develop the league, including securing sponsors, broadcasters, commercial partners, and strategic investors”.

“The time for procedural exchanges, purposeless meetings, and administrative delay has expired… such a meeting must have clear, time-bound decisions, not reiterating constraints that have been known for months.

“The stakes are existential… Indian football faces the genuine risk of losing its only professional league, investors, sponsors, and the confidence of fans. Time is rapidly running out.”

‘EC view not taken before suggestion to discuss formation of consortium’

On Wednesday, the AIFF suggested that the proposal made by the ISL clubs to form a consortium to own or operate the top-tier league may be discussed during its AGM on December 20.

However, AIFF Executive Committee member Avijit Paul expressed dissatisfaction at the suggestion to discuss the formation of the consortium without prior consultation with the panel.

“The Exco is the highest decision-making body in the AIFF, and to bypass it in any form is against the rules and regulations and the constitution of the AIFF.

“…The issue is highly sensitive in nature and is related to the long-term financial health of the AIFF.

“It is hugely disappointing that you have decided to jump the gun and enter into a dialogue in this regard by keeping the Exco and General Body completely in the dark,” Paul said in a letter addressed to AIFF deputy secretary general K Satyanarayan.

(With PTI Inputs)