Indian football today seems trapped in a deep, dark pit. From poor performances on the field to administrative instability everything together has pushed the sport into a crisis rarely witnessed before. The most shameful fact is that this year the Supreme Court has convened 16 times over football-related cases, while the national team has played only 12 matches. Football is now more under judicial scrutiny than on the pitch that is the reality.
The condition on the field is no less painful. India’s loss to Bangladesh after 22 years has shaken the country. Watching the players’ indifferent performance, supporters and experts alike have questioned the coaching, preparation and overall planning. It seemed as if the players who wore the blue jersey lacked the hunger to fight.
Behind this decline lies the administrative chaos within AIFF. The federation’s 15-year contract with FSDL ends on December 8. Under this agreement, AIFF has been receiving ₹50 crore every year. In the new round of negotiations, the federation is demanding around ₹37.5 crore annually along with continued decision-making power. Potential investors believe this demand is unrealistic—because while the league organisers take on the financial risk, the federation wants a guaranteed cushion.
Another major complication is the promotion-relegation structure. According to the AFC roadmap, India is supposed to streamline its league system, but ISL franchises oppose relegation, fearing losses of ₹25–30 crore if they go down. Smaller clubs argue that without such a system, the backbone of Indian football itself will weaken.
Taken together, the situation is so bleak that many feel even the embarrassment of losing to Guam ten years ago pales in comparison. Back then it seemed Indian football had hit rock bottom. Now it appears there is an even deeper layer beneath that rock bottom.
