Kerala Blasters captain urges fans to raise voice to save Indian football from ‘existential crisis’

Kerala Blasters captain Adrian Luna has urged football fans in the country to raise their voices to demand a solution to the 'existential crisis' faced by the game due to uncertainty over the start of the Indian Super League (ISL).

"Football, in the country, is now faced with an existential crisis, which is something that we cannot imagine," Luna wrote in a note he posted as a story on Instagram. "The time for requests is far gone, patience has been replaced with anxiety and livelihoods are on the line. For the sake of all of us, who are entrenched in Indian football, we need immediate action and solutions," said the attacking midfielder.

"We need the fans to rally together to demand answers, and we need it NOW, before it is too late. The clock is ticking. Raise your voices, ask questions and do not rest until we reach our goal, which is to #SaveIndianFootball."

Luna began his post by introducing those who participate in Indian football as "humble folk", who "put our heart and soul into it for our respective clubs". "Along with us, staff, coaches, medical teams, logistics staff, kit-men, administrative staff, media teams, grounds-men, camera crew, broadcasters, commentators, production staff and everyone at our respective clubs toil around the year to bring the sport to its many fans. We have been a part of Indian football for so many years and we have been lucky to call India our home," the Uruguayan said.

The ISL season, which was expected to begin in September, remains suspended because the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not finalises a commercial partner after failing to renews the Master Rights Agreement with the existing one. As a result, the future of the ISL remains uncertain and several clubs, including Kerala Blasters, have let their players and staff go on leave.