Indian football faces uncertain future as player contracts expire

File photo of FC Goa player Sandesh Jhingan. (ISL)

New Delhi: According to the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Centralised Registration System, at least 148 players in India's top-tier will be without a contract at the end of the month. The clubs are wary of offering an extension due to the uncertainty of the future. One of those players is India captain Sandesh Jhingan. The FC Goa defender is unable to discuss his future beyond June, when the Indian team will be playing in the Unity Cup, followed by friendlies against Palestine and Tajikistan. "A few days back, I got asked, 'what's the plan?' and I said, 'in June, we've got the international team and then, I don't know, pack our stuff, and go to Chandigarh," said the centre-back. "You don't know where to go after this season. There's pain, and it's easy to judge from the outside that we're pampered, we're spoilt, but we're also trying to raise our family, provide for them," he continued. The 32-year-old has travelled the country, played in multiple divisions, winning two Super Cup titles (with FC Goa) and the Federation Cup (With Bengaluru FC). His journey in the Indian Super League (ISL) has also seen him play for the Kerala Blasters and ATK Mohun Bagan.

File photo of FC Goa defender Sandesh Jhingan (L). (ISL)

The unfamiliar feeling of not knowing what's next has unsettled not just Jhingan but the entire ecosystem. As AIFF tries to onboard a new commercial partner, with clubs disagreeing and proposing their own models, there is no roadmap for the 2026-27 season. Unfortunately for Indian football, it has been at a similar juncture before. After FSDL's contract expired in December, the clubs and AIFF couldn't come to terms over multiple aspects until the intervention of the Sports Ministry. Finally, the truncated-season began on February 14 and concludes on Thursday, with the title race going to the final day. Despite the thrill of the title race -- which has five clubs in contention -- there's a looming reality that clubs could be forced to shut down unless the economic reality changes. "I have the same stress," admitted Jhingan when asked to compare the current scenario with the one from December-January. "But you try to keep a smile on your face because you're the strong one. For any neutral person, this should be (worse) than the January one." "Back then, we had some hope that the league would start either way. But now we are facing a shutdown. Many jobs will get taken away," he said. He, however, tries to maintain a brave face as the leader, and serves as Sandesh 'Paaji' to youngsters like Boris Singh. The 26-year-old Boris hails from Imphal and, like Sandesh, will be out of contract at the end of the month.

FC Goa's Boris Singh (R) in a training session. (Instagram)

"The league and the AIFF must discuss this problem as soon as possible. I can't say anything because it is not in my hands. So I think they should solve the problem as soon as possible for the players who have been working. And behind the club also, lots of people are working. We are worried. I'm worried. Everyone is worried.

We discuss this in the dressing room when we have time. So it's kind of frustrating. But I just hope that everything happens soon, for the next 15-20 years, I don't know, whatever plan they make," said Boris. He turns to 'Sandesh Paaji' for guidance amid this situation. "I have been asking Sandesh Paaji, 'When will we get to know that the next season is going to happen?' He tells me that the league will happen for sure, but we don't know when we'll start. And they (AIFF) have been discussing with many commercial partners, and the clubs would agree, the AIFF would agree, both would agree. But he also doesn't know, you know. He says, 'Don't worry, everything will be fine, the solution will come soon. '"'Hope situation improves for Indian players'

Serbia's Dejan Drazic will be out of contract at FC Goa on May 31. (Instagram)

The dire situation also applies to Serbia's Dejan Drazic. The left winger played 12 games this ISL season, scoring six goals and providing three assists. With his contract expiring on May 31, the 30-year-old doesn't know if he will be adding to his tally at FC Goa. "Football is the most famous sport in the world. A country like India, with a lot of people, with a lot of future, they don't have a normal league, or they don't know the future about football. When people from Europe ask what happened, I don't know what to say," said Drazic. The Serb-Croat is aware of the privilege he's in due to his EU passport. Having joined FC Goa from Cypriot club Ethnikos in 2024, Drazic knows he has the option to return to Europe and continue playing - an option not easy for Indians in the squad.

When people from Europe ask what happened, I do not know what to say

FC Goa's Dejan Drazic on state of Indian football

"It's not easy to go out of India for an Indian player. For me, I can find options, but for them, it's very difficult. And this is what I can't understand that nobody cares for them. If one club disappears, imagine how many families will be affected. This is unacceptable," he added. With an option available to explore his future elsewhere, Drazic has decided to stay put for now in respect for FC Goa. Boris, meanwhile, is not averse to considering offers from Europe or Asia, provided the project appeals to him. Jhingan, who has 73 caps with India, will unite with the national team squad for the camp preceding the Unity Cup in the UK and the AIFF-Club standoff will remain a strong undertone. "You can have an opinion, I've shown it, after everything started in September, very openly also. I don't know about other things, at least my opinion can have an effect, but am I involved in the decision making? No. There are people up there who decide... but that's how it is," finished Jhingan.

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