On July 11, the upcoming 2025–26 season of the Indian Super League was abruptly put on hold by its organiser, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), citing uncertainty over the Master Rights Agreement with the AIFF.
This unprecedented move has left players, clubs and fans in limbo, and raises fresh questions about the governance and sustainability of Indian football’s top-tier league.
What exactly is behind this standoff? Does it signal deeper structural issues in Indian football? And how is the Indian football ecosystem affected by this?
Guest: Amitabha Das Sharma from The Hindu's sports bureau
Host: Reuben Joe Joseph
Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian
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In Focus by The Hindu