Latest news with #MRA
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chaubey using AIFF president's post for political gain: Bhutia
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia blamed All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey for Indian football's current predicament saying that the latter is using his post for political gain. 'For first time we have a president of the football federation using his position for political mileage by offering some opposition leader a post in AIFF to gain support in the elections.' 'Shame' 'It is such a shame that he has downgraded the post of the AIFF president by doing that,' Bhutia said during an interaction with the media at the Calcutta Sports Journalists' Club on Friday. A lot of people who supported him at that time (the last AIFF elections in September 2022) are regretting it today. I am happy that they are now realising (the mistake)they have done. 'I hope in the next elections they would bring in somebody who has got the sincerity to take football forward and not support anybody who wants to do all the dodgy deals,' Bhutia said. The legendary striker said that he won't be contesting the elections if there is political interference. The Supreme Court is expected to give its verdict on the formalisation of a new AIFF constitution next month, following which there is a possibility of fresh elections in the Football House. Bhutia was upset with the way the AIFF under Chaubey's charge mismanaged the negotiations with its marketing partner FSDL as it failed to finalise the MRA (Master Rights Agreement) thereby throwing the Indian Super League's future in doubt. 'No answer' 'Unfortunately the people entrusted with the task of negotiating with FSDL are just going to meetings having tea, pizza and returning after listening to FSDl's side of the deal. When I asked the AIFF people, what did you propose? They didn't have any answer,' Bhutia added.
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Bhaichung Bhutia points out AIFF's lack of clarity in MRA Negotiations
Kolkata: Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia spoke regarding the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025 after the future of the league remains in the air due to the Master Rights Agreement, which expires in December. On Thursday, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) released its 2025-26 competition calendar with no mention of the country's premier football league. This omission has raised eyebrows across the Indian football ecosystem, with clubs, players, and fans left speculating about what comes next. An AIFF source, speaking to IANS, confirmed that the ISL has not been included in the federation's calendar because its organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), have yet to provide a schedule. The uncertainty stems from the fact that the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and FSDL — the Reliance-Star joint venture that operates the ISL — is set to expire in December 2025. As of now, the agreement has not been renewed, and no concrete resolution has emerged from the discussions initiated earlier this year. 'There were some reports that stated that I had stopped the deal (Between AIFF and FSDL), I did not know I was that powerful. During the meeting, I had asked the Federation what their proposed deal was with FSDL. They did not have an answer; basically, they ate snacks, listened to their offer, and came back. They did not make any offer of their own. 'Now the court has ordered that the deal will only be made after the Supreme Court case regarding the AIFF constitution. From the Federation, FSDL, to the ISL and I-League clubs, all focus should be on Indian football,' said Bhaichung at a press conference. In April, the AIFF Executive Committee established an eight-member task force to examine the future of the MRA. Adding to the complications is the pending Supreme Court verdict on the revised AIFF Constitution, which has created further administrative gridlock. 'If you are saying that the ISL not taking place is a disaster, my question is whether the past one-and-a-half years have not been a disaster? If we have a new professional coming in (as president) and he could get a good deal and hopefully a win-win situation for Indian football. If it takes some time, that won't be good, but it's better than rushing into such stuff,' he added. Bhaichung also pointed out a deal, which he believes to have 'taken place under the table', which led to India withdrawing their bid to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027. The former India skipper asked for this particular meeting to be investigated. 'There has been so much negative spotlight on the AIFF under Kalyan Chaubey, which has damaged the reputation. We have put in a bid for the 2031 Asian Cup. We earlier wanted to host the 2027 Asian Cup, but he went to Saudi Arabia, and god knows what under-the-table deal he has made, but Saudi Arabia will now host the 2027 edition, whereas he comes back to announce that Saudi Arabia will host the Santosh Trophy. That deal needs to be investigated,' Bhaichung pointed out.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
ISL organisers inform clubs that 2025-26 edition will not start after AIFF calendar snub, no clarity on MRA: Report
Indian football has never been short of controversies, and another scandal has joined the bandwagon! According to reports, the Indian Super League (ISL) organisers have informed clubs that there is uncertainity over the upcoming 2025-26 season, and it won't kick-off until there is clarity over the status of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) signed with the AIFF. The ISL, which is also the country's top-tier football league, is run by Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). FSDL is also the commercial partner of AIFF, and they signed a 15-year MRA in 2010. According to the MRA, FSDL pays the AIFF ₹50 crore annually, and in turn get the rights to broadcast, manage and commercialise Indian football, which also includes the national team. According to a PTI report, an anonymous source privy to the development said, 'FSDL has told the ISL club owners verbally that the next edition will not start until there is clarity on the MRA'. 'MRA ends in December and there is no clarity whether it will be renewed or a new agreement will be signed.' The AIFF, on the other hand, have claimed innocence. AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan said, 'We have not got any communication from the FSDL regarding ISL.' The previous two ISL seasons begin in September. The PTI report also mentions that FSDL are planning to make a new holding company that operates the ISL, with participating clubs (60 percent), FSDL (26 percent) and AIFF (14 percent) as shareholders. The anonymous source informed PTI, 'May be, there might be other arrangements for other properties like I-League, national teams etc. But it is very sketchy as of now regarding what the FSDL and AIFF want.' Also the delay is due to the Supreme Court directing the AIFF not to take any major decision until the final decision on a pending constitution case. On April 30, the country's top court reserved its verdict. Meanwhile, a former official said, 'If the SC directs new election of the AIFF, then the MRA will have to be negotiated by the new office bearers and that will take time.' 'Still, there may be enough time for the 2025-26 to happen, may be by squeezing the schedule or stretching the end date. That is the best case scenario.' Also the 2025-26 calendar released last month did not have any mention of ISL. Regarding, the source told PTI, 'There was nothing to be interpreted from the calendar. Firstly, it was issued last month and secondly, it was meant for events which are conducted directly by the AIFF.' 'ISL is not directly conducted by the AIFF and so the ISL dates were not there in the calendar. Moreover, the AIFF always consults the FSDL before announcing ISL dates. So, there is nothing in the calendar regarding the ISL.'
India Today
a day ago
- Business
- India Today
ISL organisers tell clubs 2025-26 season won't start with out MRA status clarity
Indian Super League (ISL) organisers have told the clubs that the 2025-26 edition will not kick off until there is clarity over the status of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) signed with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), putting the country's top-tier competition in a limbo. Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which runs the ISL, is the commercial partner of the AIFF, with whom the national federation signed a 15-year MRA in the MRA, FSDL pays the AIFF Rs 50 crore annually. FSDL, in turn, gets the rights to broadcast, manage and commercialise Indian football, including the national Read: Jose Mourinho vs Turkish FA: Fenerbahce demand investigation after leaked texts"FSDL has told the ISL club owners verbally that the next edition will not start until there is clarity on the MRA," a source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity."MRA ends in December and there is no clarity whether it will be renewed or a new agreement will be signed."The AIFF, however, said that FSDL has not told anything about the fate of the ISL to the national federation."We have not got any communication from the FSDL regarding ISL," AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan said when asked if the league will start on the last two seasons, the ISL began in September. According to another source, FSDL is learnt to favour creating a new holding company that operates the ISL, with participating clubs (60%), FSDL (26%) and AIFF (14%) as shareholders."Maybe, there might be other arrangements for other properties like I-League, national teams etc. But it is very sketchy as of now regarding what the FSDL and AIFF want," the source matter has also become complex after the Supreme Court directive to the AIFF not to take any major decision until the final decision on a pending case on the constitution of the national federation is given. On April 30, the SC had reserved its April, the AIFF had formed an eight-member task force to look into MRA negotiations with the FSDL. Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who is also AIFF executive committee member, had then told the brass to wait till the Supreme Court verdict, which is likely to come in July."If the SC directs new election of the AIFF, then the MRA will have to be negotiated by the new office bearers and that will take time," a former official said."Still, there may be enough time for the 2025-26 to happen, maybe by squeezing the schedule or stretching the end date. That is the best case scenario."2025-26 calendar issued last month did not mention ISL The AIFF last month issued the competition calendar for 2025-26 season and there was no mention of the ISL in it. But, a source said the calendar was for events which come directly under the AIFF and ISL schedule is put up only after consulting the FSDL."There was nothing to be interpreted from the calendar. Firstly, it was issued last month and secondly, it was meant for events which are conducted directly by the AIFF," the source said."ISL is not directly conducted by the AIFF and so the ISL dates were not there in the calendar. Moreover, the AIFF always consults the FSDL before announcing ISL dates. So, there is nothing in the calendar regarding the ISL."Must Watch
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
No ISL in Indian football's 2025-26 calendar — AIFF excludes Indian Super League from next season's schedule
The All Indian Football Federation's (AIFF's) competitions calendar 2025-26 had a major change this season, with no mention of the Indian Super League (ISL), the premier division of men's football in the country. The ISL, run by Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), started as a franchise league in 2014 and became India's top-flight in 2019. However, the future of the league remains uncertain at the momentwith its Master Rights Agreement (MRA) — it ends in December this year — yet to be renewed. In April, the Executive Committee of the AIFF formed an eight-member task force to discuss the future of the MRA with FSDL, but there has been no final decision on the issue, keeping the clubs in the dark, too, regarding the upcoming season. It has jeopardised transfer plans for multiple clubs as they have not been able to commit to a date or window for the league. In the 2025-26 season, the men's (senior) season would begin with the Durand Cup, while the Super Cup will be played after that, instead of taking place after the ISL as the final tournament of the season. The move largely comes as a consequence of the poor turnout of fans at the tournament and the clubs sending reserve or youth teams to the Cup, treating it as a second-tier competition. AIFF COMPETITIONS CALENDAR 2025-26 Event Start Date End Date Junior Boys Tier 1 and Tier 2 10-07-2025 31-07-2025 Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 10-07-2025 31-07-2025 Durand Cup 15-07-2025 23-08-2025 Super Cup/Federation Cup 01-09-2025 20-09-2025 Sub-Junior Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 10-08-2025 31-08-2025 Senior Women's Group Stage 01-09-2025 20-09-2025 AIFF Elite Youth League (U14/U16/U18) 01-09-2025 31-05-2026 Senior Women's Final Round 01-10-2025 15-10-2025 I-League 3 01-10-2025 30-11-2025 I-League 19-10-2025 30-04-2026 Indian Women's League 25-10-2025 30-04-2026 Santosh Trophy Group Stage 05-12-2025 20-12-2025 Santosh Trophy Final Round 01-01-2026 20-01-2026 Indian Women's League 2 25-01-2026 30-04-2026 Beach Soccer Championship 01-02-2026 15-02-2026 Futsal Club Championship 01-05-2026 20-05-2026 Swami Vivekananda U-20 Championship 01-04-2026 31-05-2026
