Indian Football Still In Limbo! ISL Clubs Told To Form Consortium For AIFF AGM; IWL Still Without Sponsor

Last Updated:December 18, 2025, 22:05 IST

ISL clubs are asked to propose a consortium to run the league as the AIFF reviews commercial issues. IWL starts December 20 without a sponsor after talks with Capri Sports failed.

The Indian Super League (ISL) clubs were asked on Thursday to submit a proposal for forming a consortium to run the league, the 2025-26 season of which is yet to start.

Representatives of all ISL clubs have been invited to attend the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the AIFF on Saturday, where the matter will be discussed on the sidelines.

“Regarding the consortium thing, the clubs have been told to submit to the ministry their proposal so that it can be discussed during the Dec 20 AGM. But there is no guarantee,” a club representative was quoted as saying to PTI.

The matter was also discussed during a virtual meeting between AIFF officials, ISL club representatives, and the sports ministry on Thursday.

The clubs have been asked to submit the proposal by Friday evening.

The AIFF has also informed the clubs that, according to the new constitution, any amendment of its provision can be done only after the General Body of the national federation is formed according to the new constitution itself.

“It could be hotchpotch also since the new National Sports Grievance Act is likely to be implemented shortly. So there can be changes under the Act also,” a source in the know of things said.

No Partner For IWL

Meanwhile, it was also learned that the Indian Women’s League (IWL), starting December 20, will be held without a sponsor as an agreement could not be reached between the AIFF and Capri Sports, the lone bidder for the national federation’s tender to monetise the commercial rights of the first and second divisions of the Indian Women’s League for five years.

Capri Sports is the sports business division of Capri Global and owns the UP Warriorz franchise in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Sharjah Warriors (ILT20) in the UAE, Rajasthan Warriors (Ultimate Kho Kho league), and Bengal Warriors (Pro Kabaddi League).

The clubs had earlier suggested forming a consortium to resolve the ongoing commercial issues in Indian football, after which the AIFF stated that it would require deliberations and approval by the Executive Committee and the AGM.

The Marketing Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) —  which organised the ISL for 12 seasons since its inception in 2014 — ended on December 8, leaving the top-tier league without a commercial framework.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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