Still in Dilemma: Indian Football – Almost a Decade Later

by Chittu Shetty July 24, 2025

Exactly nine years ago, on this very platform, I wrote my first-ever article on Indian Football titled “In Dilemma: India’s Football Leagues,” delving into the growing crisis facing Indian football. Nine years later, things don’t seem to have changed much.

Back then, the scenario was dominated by the clash between the traditional I-League and the widely popular Indian Super League, a battle for supremacy that threatened to divide the sport’s domestic structure. It’s been almost a decade now, while some aspects of that initial dilemma have evolved, Indian football finds itself mired in a new, arguably more serious, and immediate crisis. The struggle for identity, stability, and a clear path forward still continues, now further amplified by critical governance issues from AIFF and a lack of clarity for the future.

A Rollercoaster Run: From Hope to Concern

Following the successful hosting FIFA U-17 World Cup, the nation’s football landscape experienced a period of significant optimism. The men’s national team showed promising performances, notably at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, and achieved a commendable ascent into the top 100 of the FIFA rankings, reaching as high as 96. There was a genuine belief within the Indian football community that we were on an upward trajectory. Despite a few hiccups under Coach Igor Stimac, which saw us struggle for wins against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, our eventual back-to-back AFC Asian Cup qualification had raised the hopes of fans.

However, this upward trend was unfortunately short-lived and soon enough gave way to a concerning downturn. The men’s national team’s performance has visibly deteriorated over the last two years, registering a mere two wins in their last twenty games. Our reliance on talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri for international goals has always been evident. However, the alarming scarcity of viable replacements for him had now compelled Coach Manolo to recall the legend back from retirement.

The lack of goals highlights a deeper, systemic issue within Indian Football. It raises pertinent questions about whether the domestic ecosystem is adequately fostering the talent and competitive edge truly essential for sustained international success.

The never-ending uncertainty of Indian Football

Meanwhile, the administration under the current AIFF President, Kalyan Chaubey, has faced a turbulent period, grappling with a series of controversies that just never seem to end. Issues range from the highly publicized Igor Stimac contract debacle to the very recent contentious I-League title fiasco between Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers. The latter ultimately escalated internationally as Inter Kashi took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The ill-fated short tenure of Manolo Marquez has not helped anybody’s cause either. Accusations continue to fly, with prominent figures like former player Bhaichung Bhutia vocalizing their concerns publicly and frequently.

The FSDL-AIFF Stalemate

With the 15-year partnership between FSDL and AIFF nearing its end, both parties initiated renewal discussions. However, they failed to agree on new terms: FSDL proposed a new ownership structure for the ISL (60% clubs, 26% FSDL, 14% AIFF), while the AIFF countered with a demand for a higher annual payment (₹50 crore with a 5% annual increase). This standoff is further complicated by the Supreme Court order in April 2025, advising the AIFF not to proceed with the MRA renewal discussion until its order on the AIFF’s constitution, effectively freezing any negotiations and leaving the future of the league and the livelihoods of countless players and staff in precarious limbo.

With Indian football continuing to be in troubled waters, the situation looks dire. One can only hope that a decisive leadership with a proper vision emerges out of this debacle, allowing Indian football to see some light at the end of this increasingly dark tunnel.

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