India's Football Crisis Deepens as City Football Group Abandons League
The country's most promising football league is on the brink of collapse, leaving fans stunned and bewildered after a major player walked away in the final weeks of 2025. The City Football Group (CFG), which owned 65% of Mumbai City FC, has divested its shares, citing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League (ISL). However, this decision is not just a commercial move; it's a stark reflection of India's football governance failures.
The ISL season was supposed to kick off in September but remains suspended due to an ongoing dispute between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner. The lack of clarity has sent shockwaves throughout the football community, with even referees warning that they need to start earning a living. Imports have returned home, and players have taken to social media to express their desperation for a solution.
"This is what we have come to," said Bollywood actor and Northeast United owner John Abraham in a video shared with his 3.2 million followers, highlighting the dire situation facing Indian football. The exit of CFG from India has been met with dismay by many, including FC Goa's owner Ravi Puskur, who described it as "a serious indictment of the failures of the current administration overseeing the game."
Puskur added that the dominance of cricket in India makes it difficult to attract credible investment in football. The loss of CFG's expertise and institutional knowledge is a significant blow to Indian football's development. "To lose an organization of CFG's caliber is not just unfortunate; it's a damning reflection of systemic shortcomings," Puskur said.
Mumbai fans are particularly disappointed, as their team was one of the most successful in the league. The city's connection with Manchester City FC has now been severed, and the loss of global capacity will be felt. "Mumbai may find new owners, but brand-wise they lose a lot," said Shaji Prabhakaran, the former general secretary of the AIFF. "You're losing global connections that were facilitated by CFG."
The absence of a stable domestic league has significant implications for Indian football's future prospects. With no games in sight, fans are left with nothing to vent their frustrations about. As one Mumbai supporter noted, "There are bigger problems as everyone knows, but it is disappointing. Nobody blames them though; what is the point of investing in a team and league with no games?"
The CFG's departure sends a message to potential investors that this is not the right time to get involved. Prabhakaran warned, "Their withdrawing sends a notice that there is something seriously wrong in Indian football. Something was working, going fine, and everything stalled." The crisis highlights the need for deep introspection and reform within India's football governance structure.
As India's football community struggles to find its footing, it remains to be seen whether a new solution can be found to revive the league. For now, fans are left to wonder what could have been if CFG had remained committed to the sport. The loss of this major player will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for Indian football's development and growth prospects.
The country's most promising football league is on the brink of collapse, leaving fans stunned and bewildered after a major player walked away in the final weeks of 2025. The City Football Group (CFG), which owned 65% of Mumbai City FC, has divested its shares, citing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League (ISL). However, this decision is not just a commercial move; it's a stark reflection of India's football governance failures.
The ISL season was supposed to kick off in September but remains suspended due to an ongoing dispute between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner. The lack of clarity has sent shockwaves throughout the football community, with even referees warning that they need to start earning a living. Imports have returned home, and players have taken to social media to express their desperation for a solution.
"This is what we have come to," said Bollywood actor and Northeast United owner John Abraham in a video shared with his 3.2 million followers, highlighting the dire situation facing Indian football. The exit of CFG from India has been met with dismay by many, including FC Goa's owner Ravi Puskur, who described it as "a serious indictment of the failures of the current administration overseeing the game."
Puskur added that the dominance of cricket in India makes it difficult to attract credible investment in football. The loss of CFG's expertise and institutional knowledge is a significant blow to Indian football's development. "To lose an organization of CFG's caliber is not just unfortunate; it's a damning reflection of systemic shortcomings," Puskur said.
Mumbai fans are particularly disappointed, as their team was one of the most successful in the league. The city's connection with Manchester City FC has now been severed, and the loss of global capacity will be felt. "Mumbai may find new owners, but brand-wise they lose a lot," said Shaji Prabhakaran, the former general secretary of the AIFF. "You're losing global connections that were facilitated by CFG."
The absence of a stable domestic league has significant implications for Indian football's future prospects. With no games in sight, fans are left with nothing to vent their frustrations about. As one Mumbai supporter noted, "There are bigger problems as everyone knows, but it is disappointing. Nobody blames them though; what is the point of investing in a team and league with no games?"
The CFG's departure sends a message to potential investors that this is not the right time to get involved. Prabhakaran warned, "Their withdrawing sends a notice that there is something seriously wrong in Indian football. Something was working, going fine, and everything stalled." The crisis highlights the need for deep introspection and reform within India's football governance structure.
As India's football community struggles to find its footing, it remains to be seen whether a new solution can be found to revive the league. For now, fans are left to wonder what could have been if CFG had remained committed to the sport. The loss of this major player will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for Indian football's development and growth prospects.
. And what about all those fans who are left high and dry with no games in sight? It's not just a commercial move; it's a reflection of how broken Indian football governance is 
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it's super sad when talented teams like Mumbai City FC lose their chance at greatness due to poor governance. i mean, indian cricket has always been super successful and it makes sense that investors would be hesitant to get involved in a sport that struggles to attract big-name players. 
maybe they can learn from other countries like brazil or germany which have had their share of ups and downs in the sport? 
whoever steps in next, i just hope they do a better job than cfg and help indian football get back on track! 
India's football situation is like a never-ending cycle of drama and uncertainty. I mean, 65% of the league owning team just leaves? It's like they're taking all the hope and excitement with them. Mumbai City FC fans are really feeling the pain right now 
. It's not just about CFG leaving, it's about the systemic issues that need to be addressed.
. The fans deserve better than this uncertainty 
. We can't keep relying on Bollywood actors and businessmen to save the day... maybe it's time for a new solution? 
indian football needs a complete overhaul... like, i get it, cricket has dominated the sports scene for ages, but that's no excuse for the lack of progress in football 
some people just need to step up and put their money where their mouth is 
. The lack of investment in Indian football is really weird, especially with all the money they're making from their other teams in Asia 
. I'm rooting for the new owners of Mumbai City FC to come in and sort things out 
️, but it's gonna take a lot more than just a fresh start to get Indian football back on track 
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indian super league season got suspended like 3 times already, it's not like the gov't doesn't no about this issue. it's all about the benjamins, i swear. city football group was like a breath of fresh air, but now u guys r losin out on expertise & institutional knowledge... what do u wanna do, just sit around & watch indian football die?? 
. It's a damning reflection of systemic shortcomings that need to be addressed 
. Perhaps it's time for a fresh perspective and a new approach to revitalize Indian football 
. cpg wud b better off investin elsewhere, like englan or spain, where footballs more competitive n stuff 
. indian football needs 2 take a long hard look @ itself & figure out how 2 move forward 
mumbai city fans are literally dying over here 
they had that cool connection with manchester city and now it's all gone 
some of these investors just can't handle the drama 