The Indian Super League returns in a new-look format: What do we know about it?

The Indian Super League returns on February 14, but not without flaws. (Image credits – CommonsWikipedia, Licence Details)

The Indian Super League is set to return on February 14 after the sports minister announced the decision amidst growing uncertainty regarding Indian football. However, the format has changed this time.

Fourteen teams are set to participate in the ISL this year, with Inter Kashi being the newest member after securing promotion after winning the I-League last year. The most astonishing thing about this year's edition of the ISL is that for the first time in the history of the competition, it is set to be played without a commercial sponsor.

As per reports, the AIFF is set to conduct the top-tier league and would charge a participation fee from all the participating clubs this year. Bids for broadcasting rights have started, and the deadline is on February 1.

The total number of games this season will be quite less, around 91, whereas last season we got to see 163 games in total. As per reports, this time there will be only one leg of each fixture, while the venues will be decided on a lottery basis.

Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have confirmed the Salt Lake Stadium as their home venue, but Mohammedan Sporting Club have demanded to play only away games this year, adding more drama to the fiasco.

Clubs have been forced to lower wages for players and staff, due to which many foreign players have decided to leave India. Almost all the clubs have released at least one foreign player due to ongoing uncertainty.

“To align ISL and I-League with global standards. This plan hinges around one of the federation's favourite activities: the formation of committees. It's proposed that two bodies (the Governing Council and a Management Committee) will oversee the regulatory and operational functioning of the ISL and I-League,” said the AIFF in a statement. (sic)

It further added, “The GC will have seats for each ISL club, the AIFF, independent experts and potential commercial partners. The MC will have seats for ISL clubs (on a rotational basis), the AIFF and the aforementioned potential commercial partners.” (sic)

Clubs are facing huge losses this time due to massive participation fees; most commercial sponsors have backed off, and ticket prices are reportedly set to be raised, which has made the fans furious. The players’ livelihoods are at stake while the AIFF continues to bluff about India’s vision for the 2047 World Cup.