Clubs request SC consent for ISL
Kolkata, Aug. 23 -- Eleven ISL clubs have requested the Supreme Court-appointed amici curiae to explain to the judges the urgent need for a verdict on Friday and any directions following it be completed in 15-30 days. If hearings continue, the apex court should allow the league to run, the clubs have said.
Suspension of a season would have "catastrophic and irreversible consequences", the clubs have written to senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and advocate Samar Bansal, the amici. Survival of clubs would be at stake, the Indian team's preparedness would be hit as players play at clubs and there could be sanctions from Asian Football Confederation for not complying with the minimum number of matches in a season, according to the letter.
No league would also "erode the trust of fans, sponsors, investors, and international federations.," the clubs have said mentioning that several sponsors have withdrawn due to the prevailing uncertainty. Established in 2014, ISL has generated revenue of over Rs.2,000 crore from broadcast and sponsorship, the clubs have claimed.
Signed by all ISL clubs except Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, the letter was sent on Thursday. This was after the Supreme Court, following a mention by the amici on Monday, requested written submissions ahead of Friday's hearing by the division bench of Justices AS Chandurkar and PS Narasimha.
"Given the matter is already listed before the Hon'ble Court on 22nd August 2025, we most humbly request that our concerns be orally apprised to the Hon'ble Bench on that date itself, so that the immediacy and gravity of the crisis is not overlooked," the letter states. HT has seen the letter.
The uncertainty around ISL, which became the top tier in 2019, also affects clubs not part of it. AIFF has over 3 lakh registered players. As per the letter, ISL employs full time over 400 footballers, "besides developmental pathways for youth and grassroots players."
Since a season needs between six to eight weeks of planning, the clubs have requested a quick resolution. The clubs have prayed that "processes related to conducting the leagues and any ancillary operations may be allowed" if proceedings continue beyond Friday....
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