Indian Footballers Urge FIFA to Intervene Amid ISL Crisis | Quick Digest
Indian footballers appealed to FIFA in early January 2026, highlighting a "humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis" due to the delayed ISL season. The crisis stemmed from the AIFF's failure to secure a commercial partner after their previous agreement expired. While the AIFF has announced a February 14, 2026, restart for ISL, player concerns about the league's future and financial stability persist.
Indian footballers appealed to FIFA for intervention in early January 2026.
Players cited a 'humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis' in Indian football.
The 2025-26 ISL season was delayed due to AIFF's commercial partnership issues.
AIFF announced on January 3, 2026, it would directly conduct the ISL.
ISL 2025-26 is now confirmed to kick off on February 14, 2026.
Clubs remain apprehensive about AIFF's proposed governance and financial structure.
In early January 2026, leading Indian and foreign footballers, including national team captain Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Sandesh Jhingan, made a public appeal to FIFA, urging the global governing body to intervene and save Indian football. The players described the situation as a "humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis
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