Archive · 3 Jan 2026
Indian footballers urge FIFA to save football
Some football players in India are very worried because their league, the Indian Super League, is in big trouble.
They made a video asking the world's football organization, FIFA, to help save Indian football.
Players like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Sunil Chhetri said that they should be playing games right now, but instead, they are asking for help.
They said that the people in charge of Indian football are not doing their jobs, and this is causing a big problem.
They want FIFA to step in and help because many people's jobs and the future of football in India are at risk.
They just want to play football and need FIFA's help to make that happen.
Indian Super League (ISL) players, including Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Sunil Chhetri, urged FIFA to intervene in the ongoing crisis.
The players released a video message highlighting a humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis in Indian football.
They stated that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is unable to fulfill its responsibilities, leading to a potential paralysis of the sport.
The ISL season has been delayed due to AIFF's failure to renew the commercial partner's contract, with no clarity on when it will start.
ISL clubs have set conditions for AIFF, including no participation fee and AIFF taking financial responsibility for running the competition.
- Who
- Indian and international players of the Indian Super League (ISL)
- What
- Urging FIFA to intervene and save Indian football
- When
- January (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address a humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis and seek clarity, protection, and a future for players, staff, owners, and fans
- Players Involved
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, Sunil Chhetri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Suresh Wangjam
- Platform
- Video message
- Date
- January (specific date not mentioned)
- League
- Indian Super League (ISL)
- Request
- FIFA intervention to save Indian football
- Crisis Type
- Humanitarian, sporting, and economic
- AIFF Issue
- Failed to renew commercial partner contract
- ISL Clubs' Conditions
- No participation fee, AIFF to take financial responsibility
Sources
‘We are now staring at a permanent paralysis’: Indian Super League players, domestic and international, urge FIFA to step in to solve crisis
Sunil Chhetri Leads Way, Foreigners Join As ISL Players Appeal To FIFA Over ISL Crisis; Lambaste AIFF
Indian footballers appeal to FIFA to save football in the country: 'We are facing a humanitarian, sporting and economic crisis'
'Save Indian football...' Chhetri & Co appeal to FIFA
Why AIFF may not be able to run the ISL despite clubs agreeing to play
Sunil Chhetri and senior players make “last-ditch effort” urging FIFA to save Indian football
