ISL impasse: SC tells AIFF, FSDL to sort out problems by Aug 28

The Supreme Court ‘on Friday directed the AIFF and its commercial partner FSDL to resolve the deadlock surrounding the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between them that has jeopardised the conduct of the ISL this season.

- Abraham Thomas

The court directed the two entities to come with a solution by August 28, as players and clubs claimed that once the schedule of ISL—the country’s top tier men’s professional football league — is finalised, the inter-club transfer of players must take place by August 31, the deadline for the summer transfer window fixed by FIFA.

In a statement AIFF said it ‘would “enter into good faith negotiation” with FSDL. “The parties will endeavour to arrive at mutually agreeable measures to enable timely commencement of the 2025-26 football calendar...,” the statement said.

A bench of justices PS Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said: “These are crucial matters. We will list it on August 28. With an open mind you (AIFF) talk to them and come back with a plan.”