In terms of draft papers, it makes a lot of promises to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Super League (ISL) teams. Although it pitches alignment with global best practices—which alone should be why AIFF and clubs should go for it—it then adds another reason: adherence to the new draft constitution.

What is there to dislike?

Thus, what is there not to like? A lot, it turns out. In ISL, there will be no promotion or relegation for the following ten years, for instance. In addition to what the I-League clubs are getting out of it, it goes against what Asia's top body proposed and approved in 2019. Additionally, since the AIFF is responsible for interacting with the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA as part of the plan, I believe the federation will be in charge of providing an explanation.

ISL intends to once more be a closed league after two seasons of advertising, with the exception that this time it will also be the premier league in India.

It's difficult to claim that I-League teams haven't contributed to raising the bar. Although it's true that Mohammedan Sporting has reached a new level of misery and is struggling financially, Punjab FC has also made it through that path and has demonstrated its ability to compete. Punjab FC placed above two teams that have been in the ISL for far longer in their second season.

The world's most popular league has not ceased relegation despite parachute payments, as ten of the previous fifteen clubs promoted to the Premier League were relegated the following season. All three promoted teams have been relegated for the second year in a row in the Premier League. It's hard to stay in the top tier; Nottingham Forest needed 57 signings and about £125 million to make a difference. But how can clubs not be allowed to fantasize about accomplishing what Ipswich Town (1961–62), Forest (1977–78), and Kaiserslautern (1997–98) did? All three of them won the best league in the year they were promoted.

It would be hard to ignore what befell Hyderabad FC in 2023–24 if those who came up with ISL were concerned about issues off the field. A number of players departed the team months after head coach Manolo Marquez did, and financial difficulties caused the club to receive transfer bans.

For eleven seasons, clubs created with ISL have been shielded from relegation. Of course, it takes time to cultivate the culture, but how far have they gone to demonstrate that they are on the correct course and would require protection for the next decade?

Joint venture: Are clubs allowed?

In accordance with international best practices, the paper outlines the Big Five in Europe and Asian nations that are establishing businesses to manage ISL. Before being submitted to the AIFF, the paper or its contents were, to the best of my knowledge, shared with clubs. And that they had agreed with the ideas in principle. However, shouldn't the fact that six ISL teams didn't pass the Premier 1 license exam prevent them from sharing ownership of ISL? Furthermore, because ISL clubs had previously failed licensing exams on several occasions.

Even though they don't fulfill all the licensing criteria, should FC Goa, NorthEast United, Odisha FC, Hyderabad FC, Kerala Blasters, and Mohammedan Sporting be permitted to hold a share in a joint-venture firm? Following the payment of penalties, the ISL double winners—Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, Chennayin FC, Mumbai City FC, and East Bengal—made the grade. Punjab FC is the sole team that meets every criteria.

What is not obvious is why that business should also have perpetual rights to national team games, even if it is indeed the best practice to allow clubs a role in the administration of a competition that is about them. The draft document states that a firm where AIFF, technically the sole custodian of all India teams, owns just 14% of the company will own the rights to national team games.

What was the AIFF up to?

The paper was sent to AIFF in March. Although it was read aloud at the following executive committee meeting, why were copies not distributed? Wouldn't that have allowed the members to participate more fully in discussions aimed at influencing the future of ISL, Indian teams, and the duties of the AIFF? Additionally, why did discussions regarding the future of the AIFF-FSDL partnership come to a halt in 2023, after it was widely understood that the present arrangement will expire in 2025? It was sub-judice at that time, and it is still sub-judice today.

And we're still waiting to hear if the AIFF has an answer to Bhaichung Bhutia's query. In his most recent assault on the AIFF, Bhutia said that they went, listened, and ate pizza. AIFF may have a lot to answer for if it is accepted in this manner.

Although reports of ISL not occurring might be a little exaggerated, as may be allegations that clubs are not active in the transfer market, it is likely that the 2025–26 season won't begin in September. The Durand Cup has been impacted by this. The world's third-oldest competition has seen clubs withdraw because it doesn't make sense to begin pre-seasons as usual when the season's start is likely to be pushed back.

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