Sunil Chhetri Leads Indian Players’ Video Appeal to FIFA Amid Football Crisis

Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri, along with several national teammates and foreign players, has issued a last-ditch appeal to world governing body FIFA, urging it to intervene and help rescue the sport amid a deepening crisis in the country.

Chhetri featured in a video message alongside Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan and Rahul Bheke, calling on FIFA to step in and facilitate the revival of India’s top-tier league, which has been suspended for months. The players said the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has failed to discharge its responsibilities, leaving the sport on the brink of long-term paralysis.

Goalkeeper Gurpreet opened the video by pointing out that this was the time of year when players should have been competing in the league. Others echoed his concerns, stressing that teams, staff, owners and fans have been left in limbo.

“It’s January and we should be on your screens as part of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League. Instead, here we are, driven by fear and desperation,” the players said. “Indian football governance is no longer able to fulfil its responsibilities. We are now staring at a permanent paralysis. This is a last-ditch effort to save what we can. So we are calling FIFA to step in and do what it takes to save Indian football.”

Emphasising that their appeal was driven by necessity rather than politics, the players said the crisis had humanitarian, sporting and economic dimensions.

“We hope this message reaches the powers that be in Zurich. This call is not political or confrontational, but born out of urgency,” they said. “Players, staff, owners and fans deserve clarity, protection and, most importantly, a future. We just want to play football. Please help us do that.”

The Indian Super League (ISL) has remained suspended since September last year after organisers failed to secure a commercial partner to operate the competition. The prolonged uncertainty has already had significant consequences, with the City Football Group ending its association with Mumbai City FC and exiting the ISL, while Odisha FC is also reportedly considering pulling out.