9 months ago
CFG Exits Mumbai City FC
The City Football Group (CFG), which owns Manchester City and other clubs, has decided to leave Mumbai City FC.
This is because the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) is uncertain.
The ISL is the top football league in India.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the clubs have been arguing about how to run the league.
The clubs want more control and details about how the league will make money.
The AIFF has formed a committee to look at the clubs' ideas.
The clubs and the AIFF are meeting to discuss these issues.
The exit of CFG is a big deal because it might make it harder to get other investors or sponsors.
The Supreme Court has also been involved, asking the AIFF not to renew its deal with the current commercial partner until a separate case is resolved.
City Football Group (CFG) has divested its 65% stake in Mumbai City FC, returning full control to its founding owners.
CFG's exit is due to uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League (ISL).
ISL clubs have requested detailed information on revenue models, broadcast arrangements, and cost structures from the AIFF.
AIFF has formed a committee to review the clubs' proposal for perpetual operational and commercial ownership.
Meetings between AIFF and club representatives are scheduled from December 22 to 29, 2025.
- Who
- City Football Group (CFG), Mumbai City FC, All India Football Federation (AIFF)
- What
- CFG has divested its 65% stake in Mumbai City FC due to uncertainty over the future of the Indian Super League (ISL)
- Where
- India
- When
- December 25, 2025 (meetings scheduled)
- Why
- To resolve disagreements over the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) renewal and ensure sustainable development of Indian football
Key facts
- League
- Indian Super League (ISL)
- Federation
- All India Football Federation (AIFF)
- Current Status
- 2025-26 season postponed indefinitely
- Key Issue
- Disagreements over Master Rights Agreement (MRA) renewal
- Clubs' Request
- Detailed information on revenue, broadcast, and cost structure
- AIFF Response
- Formed a committee to review clubs' proposal
- Meeting Dates
- December 22 to 29, 2025
- Clubs Involved
- Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, Delhi Sporting Club, NorthEast United FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant
- CFG's Exit
- Divested shareholding in Mumbai City FC
- New Owners
- Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh
- CFG's Stake
- 65%
- CFG's Other Clubs
- Manchester City, Melbourne City, New York City
- Bid Submission Deadline
- Early-November 2025
- Supreme Court's Role
- Approved proposal for ISL resumption and tender process
Timeline
ISL teams demand long-term plan.
Trigger: CFG's exit, AIFF's control refusal.
Uncertainty sparks call for clarity.
Clubs push for league control.
Future in doubt, teams seek plan.
Quotes
AIFF source
A source from the All India Football Federation
“This amount would be fully reimbursable from the central revenue prior to distribution of ‘Net Revenue’. The total participation fee for all clubs would be put at 20% of the ‘central operational budget’ of the League. In case the Board decides to raise the ‘central operational budget’ by 10% in the future, the ‘standard participation fee’ would proportionately increase.”
firstpost.com
“Governance would be overseen by a Board that would be empowered by the AIFF general body with certain operational autonomy over commercial matters of the League. The jurisdiction of the board would be limited to the utilisation of unrestricted funds within the yearly operational budget earmarked for the same.”
firstpost.com
AIFF proposal
The proposal document from the All India Football Federation
“This would be known as the 'League Membership Contribution'. Any operational expenses required for the league to be conducted and for clubs to comply with their applicable licensing criteria with the addition of prize money distribution would be capped and borne out of this budget.”
rediff.com
“Governance would be overseen by a Board that would be empowered by the AIFF general body with certain operational autonomy over commercial matters of the League. The jurisdiction of the board would be limited to the utilisation of unrestricted funds within the yearly operational budget earmarked for the same.”
rediff.com
Sources
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