The Indian Super League may have got its clearance to start from February 14, but the players and their current financial uncertainties are likely to continue beyond that.
Amid the huge uproar on the league's hiatus, the Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, along with AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey, announced the date of commencement with a press conference.
The league is supposed to take place across the country in a single-leg home-and-away format, and 14 clubs are expected to participate in it. But what about the financial implications? AIFF has asked the clubs to fund of their own pocket to conduct the league, and disobedience to that may have certain ramifications.
Although a number of clubs were willing to scrap the season altogether, they are now
reluctantly moving forward with the AIFF mandate. And the forced resumption of the league with no broadcast deal and lack of investors has put the clubs into a massive hole.
Clubs ask for Salary Cuts from Players
From Tuesday onwards, clubs started having meetings with their players for renegotiation of their salaries for the remainder of the season. MyKhel understands FC Goa had a meeting with their players on the night itself, where the renegotiations were discussed.
Similarly, Bengaluru FC owner Parth Jindal took to social media and publicly sought for salary cut from his players. He wrote that the clubs are sacrificing heavily to play in the ISL and asked for the players to understand the situation.
"Truly hope the players understand the additional financial burden on the clubs and agree to also sacrifice as we are all in this together. @bengalurufc football has been a loss-making proposition for all since I can remember - this year's numbers without the players helping out will force many to shut shop for good," Jindal wrote on X.
There have been calls for 20-25 per cent pay cuts, which can be difficult for a player to allow. Although ISL players have an inflated salary, the bloated wage structure has come back to bite the clubs.
MyKhel talked with an active ISL player who is negotiating with a couple of clubs ahead of the ISL commencement. The player says despite being under contract, he is weighing in for a better deal among the suitors.
Odisha FC yet to Commit to ISL
Although the majority of the clubs have been struggling with their finances, newly promoted Inter Kashi have been enthusiastic to participate in the ISL from the start. Jamshedpur FC have also been ready for a long time and they confirmed their participation after the AIFF mail. 13 clubs have already confirmed their participation in the ISL, with Odisha FC being the only exception. The Kalinga Warriors have been a doubt for a long time, and they are yet to send their confirmatory mail to the apex body.
