Odisha FC has suspended all player and staff contracts due to the indefinite postponement of the 2025-26 ISL season. This drastic measure is a direct result of the ongoing deadlock between FSDL and AIFF.
Odisha FC, one of the football clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL), has announced the suspension of all player and staff contracts effective from August 5, 2025—a move directly tied to the broader turmoil facing Indian football’s top division. The club’s drastic measure underscores the severe impact of the ongoing deadlock between the league’s governing entities: Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
“As you may be aware, the commencement of the Indian Super League (“ISL") 2025-26 season has been indefinitely suspended due to the inability of Football Sports Development Limited (“FSDL") and the All India Football Federation (“AIFF") to reach an agreement on the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (“MRA")," OFC’S letter read.
Why Extreme Decision Was Taken
The crux of the issue lies in the unresolved Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between FSDL and the AIFF. With the Supreme Court forbidding AIFF from entering any new contracts until it rules on the federation’s draft constitution, the 2025-26 ISL season has been indefinitely postponed. This legal and administrative standoff has left the league’s future hanging in the balance—forcing clubs, players, and staff into a state of precarious limbo.
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Delhi Soccer Private Limited, Odisha FC’s parent company, pointed to this uncertainty as a force majeure event—an unanticipated situation beyond the club’s control—necessitating immediate and decisive action. In a heartfelt statement, Odisha FC emphasized that the suspension was a last resort, implemented solely to protect the interests of the club and its stakeholders under circumstances that could not have been foreseen or mitigated through normal planning.
Contracts Suspended, Not Terminated
The club was also sympathetic to its players and staff, making it clear that those seeking contracts or playing opportunities elsewhere would face no obstruction. The leadership assured everyone that the choice to suspend contracts, rather than terminate them, was made after exhaustive consideration and with the greatest reluctance.
In summary, Odisha FC’s suspension of contracts is a direct reaction to the exceptional, ongoing uncertainty paralysing the ISL—rooted in legal and structural issues beyond any club’s control. Until the Supreme Court provides clarity and the league resumes, clubs like Odisha FC are left with no sustainable alternative to safeguard their futures and the welfare of their personnel.
