Indian Football's Global Embarrassment: A League on the Brink of Collapse
The world's largest sports conglomerate, City Football Group (CFG), has shed its 65% stake in Mumbai City FC, effectively leaving the Indian Super League (ISL) with a gaping hole. The divestment, however, is not entirely unexpected given the ISL's precarious state.
The ISL was supposed to kick off in September 2025, but due to a lack of commercial backing and a Masters Right Agreement that ended in December 2025 without an immediate replacement, the season has been delayed indefinitely. The recent meeting between stakeholders resulted in a tentative start date of February 14, but the long-term viability of the league remains uncertain.
The exodus of CFG, which invested heavily in Mumbai City FC and brought much-needed expertise to Indian football, sends shockwaves throughout the sport. "Shame on us," Bollywood actor John Abraham lamented, highlighting the desperation among players who have been left without a solution. The ISL's struggles are all too familiar for owners like Ravi Puskur of FC Goa, who described CFG's departure as a "damning reflection of systemic shortcomings" in Indian football governance.
The absence of CFG will undoubtedly impact the sport's ability to attract credible investment and talent. As Shaji Prabhakaran, former AIFF general secretary, pointed out, "You are losing global capacity, not just the money... It is part of a network." The loss of this international connection means that coaches, support staff, and foreign players will no longer be easily accessible to Indian clubs.
The Mumbai City FC brand, which has been synonymous with quality football in India, now faces significant challenges. "Mumbai may find new owners but brand-wise they lose a lot," Prabhakaran warned, highlighting the potential loss of international appeal and reputation that CFG provided. The ISL's struggles are further complicated by its inability to attract Indian players who could potentially compete at the highest level in leagues like Japan or Australia.
The CFG's departure serves as a stark reminder of the sport's systemic issues and governance shortcomings. As Prabhakaran aptly put it, "This is not just unfortunate... It's a blot on the copybook of Indian football governance." The ISL's precarious future raises serious questions about its long-term viability and the potential for other owners to withdraw their investments.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain – Indian football faces an unprecedented crisis that requires immediate attention and action.
The world's largest sports conglomerate, City Football Group (CFG), has shed its 65% stake in Mumbai City FC, effectively leaving the Indian Super League (ISL) with a gaping hole. The divestment, however, is not entirely unexpected given the ISL's precarious state.
The ISL was supposed to kick off in September 2025, but due to a lack of commercial backing and a Masters Right Agreement that ended in December 2025 without an immediate replacement, the season has been delayed indefinitely. The recent meeting between stakeholders resulted in a tentative start date of February 14, but the long-term viability of the league remains uncertain.
The exodus of CFG, which invested heavily in Mumbai City FC and brought much-needed expertise to Indian football, sends shockwaves throughout the sport. "Shame on us," Bollywood actor John Abraham lamented, highlighting the desperation among players who have been left without a solution. The ISL's struggles are all too familiar for owners like Ravi Puskur of FC Goa, who described CFG's departure as a "damning reflection of systemic shortcomings" in Indian football governance.
The absence of CFG will undoubtedly impact the sport's ability to attract credible investment and talent. As Shaji Prabhakaran, former AIFF general secretary, pointed out, "You are losing global capacity, not just the money... It is part of a network." The loss of this international connection means that coaches, support staff, and foreign players will no longer be easily accessible to Indian clubs.
The Mumbai City FC brand, which has been synonymous with quality football in India, now faces significant challenges. "Mumbai may find new owners but brand-wise they lose a lot," Prabhakaran warned, highlighting the potential loss of international appeal and reputation that CFG provided. The ISL's struggles are further complicated by its inability to attract Indian players who could potentially compete at the highest level in leagues like Japan or Australia.
The CFG's departure serves as a stark reminder of the sport's systemic issues and governance shortcomings. As Prabhakaran aptly put it, "This is not just unfortunate... It's a blot on the copybook of Indian football governance." The ISL's precarious future raises serious questions about its long-term viability and the potential for other owners to withdraw their investments.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain – Indian football faces an unprecedented crisis that requires immediate attention and action.
... it's like they're trying to sabotage their own sport... cfg's departure is a huge blow not just to mumbai city fc but the entire league... how are players supposed to compete without top-notch coaching and foreign expertise? 
and what's with the masters right agreement? seems like a mess 
... indian football governance needs to step up its game ASAP 
u gotta feel 4 the indian football fans rn... CFG's departure is like a big wake up call 4 the governace 2 b more proactive n invest in infrastructure & talent development 2 attract top players n coaches 2 India 
it's not just abt the money, but also about buildin a strong foundation 4 the sport 2 compete w/ other leagues globally 
what's gonna happen 2 the isl now? will they b able 2 recover from this crisis? 
hope the governace takes swift action 2 address these issues n save indian football 
, the state of Indian football is getting ridiculous 
. I mean, who needs a solid business plan when you can just hope for the best? 
The fact that CFG pulled out due to lack of commercial backing is no surprise, but it still stings 
️. What's really worrying me though is what this means for the future of Indian football 
. The system just needs to be overhauled and some real leadership thrown at it 
.
cfg's departure is like a punch in the gut for the sport... what's going on with the isl's finances? how did it come to this? 
and what about all those players who are supposed to be the future of indian football? now they're stuck without a solution 
