ISL clubs allow foreign players to leave as season delay deepens crisis
Panaji: Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have allowed their foreign players to seek opportunities elsewhere for the remainder of the season as uncertainty continues to cloud the start of India’s top-tier football competition. With no kickoff date in sight, the prolonged delay has triggered a steady exodus of overseas players, underlining a deepening crisis in Indian football’s commercial and administrative structure.
The ISL, which typically runs from September to April, has been stalled this season due to the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) failure to secure a marketing partner. With commercial rights to the league yet to find a buyer, competitive football has come to a halt, leaving clubs, players and staff in limbo.
Foreign players opt out amid uncertainty
Foreign players, dependent on regular match action to sustain careers and market value, have grown increasingly restless. Many have chosen to move during the January transfer window, even if it means accepting reduced salaries.
FC Goa midfielder Borja Herrera, a three-time Super Cup winner, recently joined an Indonesian club after four seasons in India. “The situation has become untenable for my family and me,” Herrera said, adding that repeated meetings failed to yield clarity from authorities. His departure followed that of striker Javier Siverio, who left for Greece before FC Goa’s final AFC Champions League Two group match, publicly criticising the AIFF.
Kerala Blasters have also been hit. Portuguese striker Tiago Alves mutually terminated his contract after just three competitive appearances in three months. Captain Adrian Luna has moved to Indonesia on loan, while winger Noah Sadaoui is expected to follow. Chennaiyin FC’s former captain Connor Shields signed for Cambodian champions Svay Rieng FC after months of waiting for clarity.
Clubs forced into pragmatic decisions
Club officials admit the situation is far from ideal but say they have little choice. “In a normal situation, we would have wanted players to stay,” Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee said. “But players need competitive football, especially at certain stages of their careers.”
NorthEast United CEO Mandar Tamhane echoed the sentiment, saying younger foreign players risk damaging their futures if they remain inactive. East Bengal and Bengaluru FC are also bracing for further exits, though speculation about Kevin Sibille leaving East Bengal has been dismissed.
Meanwhile, former ISL Golden Ball winner Roy Krishna opted for the Super League Kerala before returning home to sign for Fiji’s Bula FC, citing the lack of clarity around the ISL season.
Broader impact on Indian football
The departures have raised concerns about the ISL’s credibility and India’s ability to retain international talent. Analysts warn that prolonged inactivity could harm clubs’ continental performances, player development pathways and fan engagement.
With domestic players also affected by the absence of structured competition, pressure is mounting on the AIFF to resolve the commercial deadlock. Until then, clubs appear resigned to managing losses rather than planning for progress.
Our Final Thoughts
The unfolding ISL crisis is no longer just a scheduling issue; it has become a credibility test for Indian football. Allowing foreign players to leave may be a humane and practical choice for clubs, but it reflects a deeper systemic failure. Competitive continuity is the backbone of professional sport, and prolonged uncertainty risks undoing years of progress the ISL has made in attracting talent and attention. If swift, decisive action is not taken to restore stability, the league may struggle to regain trust—both from players abroad and fans at home. The longer the silence continues, the louder the consequences will becomes.
