Jamshedpur seek time to confirm ISL participation | Goa News
Panaji: Jamshedpur FC have sought additional time to “provide a definitive response” to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on their participation in the top tier Indian Super League (ISL), which now has a new club-led model.The AIFF had written to all 14 clubs asking for written confirmation of participation and receipt of first instalment of Rs 55 lakh before July 20. While all clubs confirmed participation, including Inter Kashi who indicated “in-principle willingness to participate in the upcoming ISL 2026-2027 season” — without making any payment — Jamshedpur asked for an extension till July 31, “to communicate our decision to AIFF and confirm whether or not it will participate in the ISL under the proposed revised structure.”“We would request you to note that in accordance with its internal governance requirements, the proposed revised commercial framework for the ISL 2026-27 season requires approvals from JFSPL’s (Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited) shareholder before any binding commitment can be made on behalf of JFSPL. In addition, given that JFSPL’s shareholder is a listed company, the approval process involves additional governance and compliance procedures. This process is currently under way, and we are actively working towards the same,” CEO Mukul Choudhari wrote in an email to AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan on July 20, the day of the deadline.Jamshedpur said they would communicate their “formal and definitive response” by July 31.Meanwhile, Inter Kashi have communicated their “in-principle willingness” to participate in ISL but sought relaxation in the timeline, assuring to pay the cumulative fees by the deadline for second instalment on August 14.“It is understood by us that Jamshedpur FC has sought an extension for payment due to some operational concerns so that it can meet the financial obligations in question. Our request is on similar lines due to some operational constraints that we expect to address in the immediate near future. We request that discretion be exercised, and latitude be extended to us so that the financial obligations can be suitably met in a timely manner. This will allow us to arrange our finances accordingly and ensure that no prejudice is caused to anyone else,” Inter Kashi’s authorised representative, Prithijit Das, said in his email to AIFF.In its response on July 22, AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan said “it’s a matter of concern” that the club failed to honour the mutually agreed timeline for payment of the first instalment.AIFF has now imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh per day on the two clubs and provided them with a “final opportunity for compliance with payment of the first instalment” before July 31.Under the new structure for ISL, clubs will collectively operate the league through an appropriate league operating entity while the AIFF retains a 10% ownership interest.
