New Delhi: The All India Football Federation plans to host the Super Cup before the Indian Super League, it told the Indian Super League clubs on Thursday but wasn’t able to provide details on either.
At a meeting with all 13 ISL clubs and AIFF’s marketing partners, the federation reconfirmed its commitment to organise the top-tier league, which is on hold due a contractual deadlock with its marketing partners, negotiations on which are currently stalled following a Supreme Court directive.
But since AIFF’s master rights agreement (MRA) with FSDL ends in December and the 2025-26 season runs till April, a hurdle has emerged over organisation of the ISL.
Seven clubs pulled out of the ongoing Durand Cup, after which altleast five clubs suspended its first-team operations and put salaries of players and staff on hold.
Eight clubs appealed for a dialogue with the AIFF over a way forward, after which Thursday’s meeting was convened a the Capital where president Kalyan Chaibey reassured that the season, including the Super Cup and ISL will be held.
Keeping in mind the national team’s AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore on October 9 and 14, and the need for players to be in shape for the crucial matches under new coach khalid Jamil, the AIFF plans to hold the Super Cup next month.
“We were planning to hold it around the second week of September but some clubs wants around six weeks of pre-season training, so the tournament could begin in the last week of next month,” an AIFF official told News9 Sports.
But the clubs were hardly convinced by the offer, and wanted a definite assurance that the ISL will be held, which the AIFF was unable to provide despite assurances, the basis of which is clear to none.
Notheless, as none wants the ball to stop rolling completely, the clubs and the federation are expected to hold discussions in around 10 days time to finalise date and venue of the tournament which is generally an end-of-the-season affair.
Dilemma remains over ISL
Since the MRA matter is subjudice, no discussions happened on it and when asked about it at a subsequent press conference, neither the clubs nor the AIFF spoke of any plans to file an appeal with the Court to fast-track its pending judgement.
Yet, Chaubey said: “Both the ISL and Super Cup will happen this year, just that Cup.will happen before the league,” Chaubey said.
Depending on the Court judgement on AIFF constitution, a decision would be taken on the start date of the ISL and its format.
“The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss how clubs can plan their year. Whatever the situation, whoever remains in the chair, the game must go on.
“The current agreement is up for renewal, and we have agreed to modify the tournament to reduce logistics. Some clubs have not even started pre-season,” Chaubey said.
An agreement to extend the existing MRA by three-four months was also mooted, though the AIFF was reminded that it was them who had informed earlier that a legal opinion should be taken before making any move.
Since the Super Cup, which will be held earlier to keep the clubs financial management programme running, is an AIFF event, FSDL offered no comment.