ISL clubs ask government for PSU support and relegation freeze

All 14 Indian Super League clubs have written jointly to India’s sports ministry seeking immediate operational relief for the coming season and a temporary pause on relegation, arguing the current conditions risk undermining sporting integrity and investor confidence. The clubs asked for limited commercial support from public sector undertakings, including sponsorship, branding and advertising, as a short-term measure to ease financial pressure and “lend institutional credibility” while the league works to restore private investment. In the letter, the clubs described the season starting 14 February as a “virtual force majeure” campaign, pointing to compressed timelines and what they described as unequal operating conditions across the competition.The clubs wrote: “Even limited PSU sponsorship, branding, or advertising would provide immediate relief, lend institutional credibility, and create breathing space to restore private investment over time. “Describing the upcoming campaign, starting February 14, as a ‘virtual force majeure’ season with compressed timelines and unequal conditions, we warn that imposing relegation could undermine sporting integrity and deter investors.” A proposed freeze on relegation for three to five seasons was positioned as a stabilisation tool rather than a permanent change, with the clubs arguing it would allow teams to plan beyond a single campaign and continue investment without what they described as existential financial risk. The letter was addressed to the ministry’s Joint Secretary and followed discussions with the All India Football Federation and other stakeholders. The clubs said the communication was intended to support the government’s position in ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court.