Can the AIFF step up to save Indian football? Time is fast running out

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Indian football continues to stare down the barrel as we start the new year. With the clubs throwing the ball back at the Federation and asking them to front some of the costs, the deliberations have now taken a nose dive. While a lot of meetings are on, this could possibly be a deal breaker. Will the federation front some of the costs and do they have the money to do so? Will the clubs relent and go ahead and agree to a compromise? At the moment 13 of the 14 clubs have written back to the AIFF with a list of queries.

A look at the letter and the demands seem fair. In a crisis why should the AIFF not pay for some of the costs? As owners or key stakeholders of the league, it is as much their responsibility. In fact, as the governing body of Indian football the buck ultimately stops with the AIFF. To cite the judiciary is an attempt to buy some more time.

For the longest time the AIFF was in a comfort zone. 50 crores was delivered to it by FSDL and that was the money used to finance everything in Indian football. Did they AIFF not know that the deal was coming to an end in December 2025? That post December 8 the source of funds would dry up? Were they complacent that FSDL would surely come forward? Was there any such assurance? Why is it that other sources of income weren’t explored and why is it that there is no plan B? If FSDL doesn’t come forward to bail out Indian football, it can’t be that the sport will come to a standstill! If that’s the case then there is a need for deep introspection within the AIFF.

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I have been speaking to a number of ISL clubs and a large number of players. The situation is dire. Clubs could fold up and shut shop. Players are left in the lurch and fear termination of contracts. For Indian football, things have never been worse. All we have at the moment are meetings. No one knows when there will be some clarity. No one knows how and when the crisis could be averted. You do a deep dive and it all boils down to a commercial partner and the truth is none is in sight. Unless FSDL comes forward, the sport could reach a point of no return in India.

Some have said to me on my show that I am doing PR for FSDL. The truth is PR is done with money. Pro bono PR doesn’t really add up. Having said that when I look at Indian football, I do think a collective speaking out is necessary. For the players, coaches, groundsmen and the entire eco-system, we need to ask the questions and make ourselves heard. If that means making a collective plea to FSDL, so be it. The sport can’t be made to suffer and clubs can’t be seen to shut shop. For a second imagine you are an Indian footballer. The new year is anything but happy for the entire fraternity and there are no ready solutions in sight.