By Admin 
The Centre on Thursday (November 20, 2025) informed the Supreme Court that it has taken full cognisance of the crisis within the All India Football Federation (AIFF) over the conduct of the delayed Indian Super League (ISL) season.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured a bench of Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Joymala Bagchi that the Government is committed to ensuring the tournament proceeds without disadvantaging players or clubs.
Mr. Mehta said the concerned Union Minister was “fully aware” of the situation and had made it clear that “the ISL must be held.” He added that issues relating to financing, club ownership and operational arrangements could be left to the government.
“We will ensure that players are not put to any disadvantage due to lack of sponsors or lack of club owners,” he submitted, while stressing that all steps would remain in conformity with FIFA regulations.
The court, however, was cautious about the appearance of intervention. “We don’t want to put the impression that the government is again interfering. It is only to tide over the situation,” the Bench remarked. The judges added that the recommendations earlier made by Justice Rao would serve as “good guiding principles” when all stakeholders sit down for discussions.
The hearing came amid reports referred to by advocate Rahul Mehra that several federation members were unwilling to pass the revised AIFF constitution in the General Assembly.
The AIFF told the court that the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) called to adopt the constitution had been postponed to November 24. While Mehra insisted that “the meeting must be held” and the constitution adopted, the Bench said it was making no observations on that aspect for now.
‘Engage with clubs’
During the hearing, the senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who was appointed amicus curiae to assist the court in the case, urged the Centre to engage with the clubs. He noted that the league’s six-to-seven-month cycle sustains clubs, players and employees, and that delays in payments had already triggered concerns.
The amicus reminded of past instances where FIFA had stepped in due to unpaid international players. He recommended consultations not only with the clubs raising objections but also with the four potential bidders, who had join previous bidding process, and other bidders expected to enter the league system.
The Bench said it would reassemble later after two weeks, as Mr Mehta sought two weeks time, by which time the government would have also examined the bidders’ concerns. “You keep us informed, Mr. Solicitor,” the court said while adjourning the proceedings.