The crisis engulfing the Indian Super League reached a fever pitch this week as Indian senior men’s football team veteran Sandesh Jhingan issued a public plea for stakeholders to resolve the league's ongoing crisis.
Jhingan took to social media to convey the growing desperation among players, coaches, and staff following the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) failure to attract any bids for the league's commercial rights by the November 7 deadline.
Jhingan, who represents FC Goa, emphasized the ripple effects of the delay. "Where we are right now, it isn’t a delay anymore, it’s a standstill for the fans, coaches, staff members, players, and for everyone who lives and breathes Indian Football," he stated.
Highlighting the uncertainty, he added, "Dreams are paused, future being questioned, salaries frozen." The central defender stressed that the entire Indian footballing ecosystem is "hanging in uncertainty" and called for immediate decisive action.
Jhingan's message was quickly joined by an escalating chorus of dissent from figures across the league. Players like Carlos Delgado, Souvik Chakrabarti, and Noah Sadaoui, along with coach Antonio Lopez Habas, have all voiced their frustration.
Sadaoui noted the gravity of the situation: "The time for requests is far gone, patience has been replaced with anxiety, and livelihoods are on the line." Chakrabarti echoed the sentiment, stating that every stakeholder "deserves a structure that values their passion and helps the game move forward."
The growing uncertainty has forced clubs to take drastic measures. Reigning ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Odisha FC have temporarily suspended all football activities, and now Kerala Blasters has become the third top-flight club to follow suit.
Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee admitted, "We are staring into an abyss with no information, which is not good." The Blasters had been convinced by the AIFF to enter the Super Cup with the promise of a solution to the ISL deadlock soon after, but the situation has not improved.
As the crisis deepens, the players are demanding accountability and urgency. In a joint-statement, footballers affirmed their unity and readiness to play, pleading for authorities to match their desperation with "honest intent."
The AIFF’s Bid Evaluation Committee, meanwhile, has submitted a report on the situation to the Supreme Court of India for deliberation on the next steps. Jhingan’s final urgent appeal summarizes the situation: "We need action, and we need it now, because this game belongs to all of us."