Twelve Indian Super League Captains, Including Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan, Submit Petition to Supreme Court

Twelve captains from the Indian Super League, including Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan, have signed a petition for the Supreme Court concerning the halted ISL season. Their plea follows frustrations over the league's commercial rights situation.

Indian Super League (ISL) captains, including Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, and Lallianzuala Chhangte, have signed a petition to be presented to the Supreme Court. This action follows the suspension of the ISL season. The captains discussed this move during an online meeting earlier this week. According to sources, the petition is expected to be submitted next week.

The All India Football Federation recently announced it had not received any bids for the ISL's commercial rights. This announcement came after a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on October 16 for a 15-year contract to monetise the league's commercial and media rights. The lack of bids raises concerns about the league's financial viability.

Footballers' United Plea

On November 11, Indian football players released a joint statement urging administrators to resume the paused ISL season. They expressed that their initial frustration has now turned into desperation. The players emphasised their commitment to restarting the season and highlighted their unity in this effort.

Sandesh Jhingan shared his thoughts on social media, stating, "Where we are right now is not a delay anymore, it's a standstill for the coaches, fans, staff members, and players. We have worked too hard, sacrificed too much to let our season vanish in silence." His message resonated with many in the football community.

Impact on Clubs and Players

The ongoing crisis has led top clubs like Mohun Bagan to halt training sessions. The situation has left players eager to return to the field. Chhetri echoed these sentiments on Instagram, saying, "We are all standing shoulder to shoulder, willing to do whatever it takes to resurrect the sport we love."

Several national team players, including Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, shared a text statement expressing similar feelings. They stated: "We, professional footballers who play in the Indian Super League are coming together to make a plea and more importantly to send the message that we stand united in our efforts to get the Indian Super League season underway. To put it simply, we want to play, and now."

Future of ISL

The failure to secure bidders for ISL's commercial rights could lead to questions about its future viability. The league's partnership with Football Sports Development Limited ended after ten years. This development puts pressure on administrators to find solutions quickly.

The players' statement urged those in charge of the game to resolve the current crisis swiftly. They stressed that playing football is not just a profession but a passion shared with their families and fans.

The situation remains tense as stakeholders await further developments regarding the ISL's future. The captains' petition signifies a collective effort by players to ensure that India's premier football league resumes soon.

With inputs from PTI