Following prominent Indian footballers' urgent video appeal to FIFA over the Indian Super League's (ISL) 2025-26 crisis, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on January 3, 2026, that it would directly conduct the delayed season, offering relief amid stalled negotiations for a commercial partner.
The players' emotional "Save Indian Football" video, released January 2 and featuring stars like Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Hugo Boumous, highlighted the humanitarian, sporting, and economic fallout from the ISL's mid-2025 stall due to the expired Master Rights Agreement and failed tender for a new partner. As covered previously, they warned of 'permanent paralysis' and urged FIFA intervention.
Prompted by this outcry and a report from its Coordination Committee (formed December 20, 2025), AIFF convened an emergency meeting on January 3. It decided to take direct control of the 2025-26 season, with matches expected to start the following week. This move addresses clubs' concerns, players' unpaid wages, and fans' frustration after months of uncertainty, including brief Super Cup operations and a Supreme Court-backed process.
Bollywood actor John Abraham, co-owner of Northeast United FC, echoed the players' call, labeling the situation a 'shame.' The intervention provides a roadmap forward, potentially averting deeper crisis.