First Bengaluru FC, now Chennaiyin FC: ISL crisis deepens as clubs suspend operations

Chennai: Indian football has been rocked by a wave of uncertainty as two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC announced a temporary pause in all club operations. This dramatic step follows Bengaluru FC’s earlier decision to suspend salary payments for its first-team players and staff, pointing to a deepening league-wide crisis as the future of the ISL hangs in the balance.

Citing "ongoing uncertainty over the future of the ISL," Chennaiyin FC emphasised that the pause aims to protect the well-being of its players, coaches, staff, and their families. The club framed this as a temporary and protective measure, underscoring its intent to resume normal activities as soon as there is clarity about the league’s structural future. In its statement, the club reaffirmed its commitment to Indian football and its community ethos, calling the current situation "not an isolated incident," but part of a wider disruption across Indian football.

The turmoil stems from unresolved disputes between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) concerning the renewal of the 15-year Master Rights Agreement, which expires on December 8, 2025. Without a legal or commercial framework past that date, the ISL’s 2025–26 season is officially on hold. This deadlock has left clubs unable to plan for the new season, placing their operations and finances under severe stress.

Earlier this week, Bengaluru FC, one of India’s most prominent football clubs and former ISL champions, made headlines by indefinitely suspending salaries for all first-team players and technical staff. The club’s leadership described the move as "a very difficult decision," taken solely due to the current lack of clarity about the future of the league. Bengaluru’s grassroots, women's, and youth programmes remain unaffected, but the club urged all footballing authorities to resolve the impasse urgently.