ISL clubs vs AIFF: What’s behind the growing threat to exit India’s top league

A new proposed entry fee has created a massive controversy in Indian football as Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the sports ministry that a large number of teams can pull out from the top division.

The ISL clubs were reportedly recently informed by the AIFF that a new participation fee can be levied on the teams from next season to compensate for the losses taken due to the end of the contract with the previous commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).

Why ISL clubs are threatening to pull out

FSDL used to pay Rs 50 crore annually to AIFF besides hosting the ISL on its own. But AIFF will only get Rs 12.4 crore annually as "administrative fees" by Genius Sports, who are in talks to become the next commercial partner, the Times of India has reported.

In such a scenario, AIFF is hoping to get a Rs 3 crore participation fee from each club to make up for the losses. This has created an alarming situation among ISL clubs, who are uncomfortable with the participation fee amid the ongoing turmoil in Indian football and the lack of clarity on possible revenue generation.

More from Football News

“It is deeply concerning that, rather than adopting a collaborative approach to rebuilding the league’s commercial framework, the current stance appears to treat ISL clubs as cost centres,” the clubs wrote in an email to AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan on Friday, reported the Times of India. “Should the proposed model be implemented in its current form, a significant number of ISL clubs will be compelled to reconsider their continued participation.”

Also Read | 'ISL is adulterated competition': Antonio Habas hits out at AIFF after Manolo Marquez's criticism

Meanwhile, AIFF has said that the Rs 3 crore participation fee has not been finalised yet. The participation fee for the 2025-26 season is Rs 1 crore.

“There will be some participation fee, but the idea is not to burden the clubs,” Satyanarayan told TOI. “We have to take the proposal to the executive committee, general body, and only then take a final call. Whenever the club owners want, we can also fix a meeting with the AIFF president. The AIFF, clubs and commercial partner will have to work together to make the ISL grow into a viable venture for all stakeholders.”

But the clubs have argued that despite a lack of any understanding of central revenue generation and distribution to clubs, they continued to participate in ISL in "good faith" and an extra burden of increased participation will be "untenable."