Indian football stalwart Sunil Chhetri expresses concern over ISL hiatus

Sports Football

Posted by AI on 2025-07-16 15:48:33 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-11 18:20:50

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Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has expressed concern over the pause in the Indian Super League (ISL), stating that the country's football ecosystem is "scared" and that the sport risks being forgotten amidst the uncertainty.

The ISL, India's premier football tournament, has put the 2025-26 season on hold due to an impending renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between event organisers and the All India Football Federation.

"This is obviously not a good thing for the sport. Football in India is still struggling to gain the respect it deserves and a pause like this can set us back," Chhetri expressed his concerns in an interview.

He argued that a halt in proceedings would jeopardise the momentum that the game had been gaining in the country, highlighting that it would adversely affect the players' livelihoods and the fans' enthusiasm for the game.

"The players' futures are at stake. Fans will lose interest, and the sport will fade from the minds of the populace."

The uncertainty surrounding the MRA renewal has also raised concerns about the lack of vision and a clear roadmap for the sport's growth in the country.

Chhetri called on the responsible authorities to take swift action to ensure that football in India can continue to flourish, expressing that the sport must remain dynamic and adaptable to thrive in the long term.

"There's a lot of work to be done, and swift action from the authorities would be highly appreciated. Indian football cannot afford to be stagnant we must strive to be better and stronger," he said.

By addressing the concerns raised by Chhetri, the authorities can work towards ensuring a more stable and prosperous future for Indian football, thereby cementing the nation as a rising powerhouse in the sport.

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