Sunil Chhetri has voiced deep concern over the current crisis around Indian football, as uncertainty looms large over the fate of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season. The veteran forward, who represents Bengaluru FC, shared a note on social media saying that the Indian Super League (ISL) has been put on hold for an indefinite period, which he finds severely concerning.

At the heart of the delay lies the unresolved renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the league’s commercial partner.

Initially, Chhetri admitted, the news of a postponed pre-season felt like a welcome breather. “When I first heard the pre-season was delayed by a fortnight, it made me smile,” he wrote. “I was on vacation, not training as much, and frankly needed time to get back in shape.”

But that smile was short-lived. “That ‘fortnight’ has now turned into an ‘indefinite’ pause. That changed everything,” he shared

“It began with worrying about how I am on borrowed time with what I have left in the tank. But speaking with players from across clubs, I’ve realised that my selfish problem isn’t as important,” Chetri added.

The 40-year-old striker revealed that over the past few weeks, he has received messages from players, coaches, support staff, physios, and even production crews across different clubs encompassing the entire Indian footballing community that are deeply worried about the growing vacuum and what it could mean for their future.

The current situation that Indian football finds itself in is very concerning. I’ve received a flurry of texts from players, staff members, physios, masseurs – not just from my club, but from other clubs as well. Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with,” the Indian football icon reported.

Why has the ISL been put on hold?

The 2025–26 season of the ISL has been indefinitely delayed primarily because of unresolved renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the league’s commercial partner.

The ISL is typically held from September to April. However, with the current MRA set to expire on December 8, 2025, by which time the league would be midway through the season. AIFF is unable to proceed with a renewal due to a Supreme Court directive. That restrains the federation from signing new agreements with FSDL until a verdict is reached on the case regarding AIFF’s draft constitution.

What is MRA?

The Master Renewal Agreement, or the MRA, refers to the contractual conceptual framework that guides the terms of partnership between AIFF and FSDL. Under the terms of the MRA, FSDL pays AIFF ₹50 crore annually in exchange for exclusive rights related to Indian football. This includes broadcast and commercial rights, as well as the authority to manage and monetise both the ISL and India’s national teams. The agreement effectively entrusts FSDL with the organisation, promotion, and commercial development of professional football in India.

The FSDL, a commercial entity that operates the Indian Super League, had earlier told the ISL club owners that the next edition would not start until there was clarity on the MRA.

“In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025-26 ISL season, FSDL reported.

“Given this situation, we regret to inform you that we are currently not in a position to proceed with the 2025-26 ISL season and are placing it on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond the end of the current MRA term,” the organisation added.

Chetri’s hopeful message

Amidst the ongoing legal and administrative challenges, Chetri remains hopeful that those steering Indian football will act swiftly and decisively. I know the people in charge are working hard to find a solution. It’s not easy, but I believe we’ll see the light soon. To the players, staff, kitmen, physios, medical units, operations and broadcast teams, please stay calm. Keep training. Keep improving, we will ride the storm together,” Chetri posted on X.

“Football has to resume soon, India’s highest goal scorer to date added.”