The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on August 22 to address the dispute between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) concerning the renewal of contracts for 11 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs. The conflict arose after FSDL suspended the 2025–26 ISL season in July due to uncertainty over the Master Rights Agreement with AIFF. The ISL clubs warned AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey that the ongoing impasse threatens the league’s continuation and their financial viability, with some clubs suspending operations and delaying salaries. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the clubs, argued in court that AIFF’s constitution prohibits it from unilaterally running the league without an authorized entity, forcing AIFF to retract its earlier position that it could operate the ISL independently. The clubs emphasized that the standoff endangers player contracts, sponsorships, and the broader Indian football ecosystem. The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to have significant implications for the governance and commercial future of Indian football. (Updated 18 Aug 2025, 21:06 IST; source: link)