Indian Football in Crisis: Clubs Suspend Salaries and Contracts Amid ISL Uncertainty

By Abhishek Kumar

Indian football is going through a tough time as two big clubs Odisha FC and Bengaluru FC have suspended player salaries and contracts. This comes after the 2025–26 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) was delayed due to an ongoing dispute between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the league’s management company, FSDL.

Odisha FC became the first club to take this step. On August 5, the club announced that it is suspending all player and staff contracts. The club used a legal clause called “Force Majeure”, which means they can stop operations due to reasons beyond their control. Odisha FC owner Rohan Sharma said that they are not shutting down, but it’s hard to continue without a clear future for the league.

Soon after, Bengaluru FC also announced that it is stopping salaries for all first-team players and support staff. Even India’s legendary captain Sunil Chhetri is affected by this decision. However, Bengaluru FC said that its youth academy and grassroots programs will continue as usual.

Due to these sudden decisions, players and staff across clubs are worried about their future. Many are unsure if they will be paid or if the league will even happen this year.
In response, the AIFF has called for a meeting with all ISL club CEOs to find a solution and save the upcoming season. Fans and players are now waiting for clear answers.

This situation has shown how uncertain Indian football can be when important agreements are delayed or broken.