Supreme Court To Announce AIFF-FSDL's ISL Master Rights Agreement Decision Soon

Last Updated:September 01, 2025, 21:26 IST

The Supreme Court reserved its order on the ISL master rights agreement, with AIFF and FSDL aiming to resolve issues as FIFA has set an October 30 deadline for compliance.

News18

The Supreme Court reserved its order on Monday regarding the renewal of the master rights agreement essential for holding Indian Super League (ISL) football matches this season.

A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi stated they will issue a short order on the urgent matter of the master rights agreement first, followed by the verdict on the constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

“First, we will pronounce a short order and then we will pronounce the verdict on the constitution. The judgment is ready but we have not pronounced it as there is uncertainty over the Act coming into force," Justice Narasimha remarked.

The bench inquired from Additional Solicitor General (ASG) K M Nataraj about the time required for the government to establish rules and modalities to enforce the National Sports Governance Act of 2025.

The ASG responded that the process is ongoing and could take anywhere from one to six months for the Act to come into force.

The bench expressed impatience, indicating they cannot wait that long and clarified that the judgment will be valid until the Act is enforced.

Senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy, representing one of the parties, stressed this should not imply the Act’s constitutionality has been upheld since various aspects, such as incorporating state associations under the central Act, will undoubtedly be contested.

The bench acknowledged that the law or its provisions can be challenged at any time and promised to clarify this in the judgment concerning the constitution.

Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, representing the AIFF, informed the court that the federation agreed to conduct an open, competitive, and transparent tender (or equivalent process) to select a commercial partner for managing the ISL, adhering to global best practices.

Kumar read from the resolution, stating this process will align with the National Sports Development Code-2011, the National Sports Governance Act-2025, the AIFF constitution, and applicable FIFA or Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regulations.

“The process may be managed by an independent professional firm of repute, such as one of the Big Four or an entity of equivalent standing," he said.

However, the bench expressed scepticism towards the involvement of any “Big Four" firms.

Kumar mentioned that the AIFF and the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) agreed to conclude the process by October 15, ensuring certainty for clubs, broadcasters, sponsors, and other stakeholders, with the new league season starting in December.

On August 28, the Supreme Court highlighted India’s “excellent talent" and affirmed its commitment to finalising the AIFF draft constitution for the game’s improvement.

Amicus curiae and senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan had previously referred to a letter from FIFA to the AIFF, setting a deadline of October 30 to “secure a definitive order from the Supreme Court of India, approving the revised AIFF constitution and ensure full alignment of the AIFF constitution with the mandatory provisions of the FIFA and AFC statutes and regulations".

The apex court had earlier instructed the AIFF and the FSDL to resolve the issue concerning the renewal of the master rights agreement, which has impacted the ISL this season.

On August 18, the court agreed to hear the dispute between the AIFF and FSDL over the fate of 11 ISL franchises due to the non-renewal of their contracts with the national federation and the tournament’s organisers.

The 11 ISL clubs have cautioned the AIFF that they “face the real possibility of shutting down entirely" if the impasse over the future of the top-tier domestic football competition is not resolved promptly.

(With inputs from PTI)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

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First Published:

September 01, 2025, 21:26 IST

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