We want to play now! Angry Indian footballers issue joint statement as ISL remains in limbo

Football in the country is witnessing a collective dissent from its elite players as the Indian Super League remains in limbo. As the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has yet to finalise a commercial partner to kick off the premier men's league in the country, which was scheduled to begin in September, players have said enough is enough.

A host of popular players in India, including national captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, have shared a 'statement' on their social media handles. "We, professional footballers who play in the Indian Super League, are coming together to make a plea, and more importantly, to send the message that we stand united in our efforts to get the Indian Super League season underway. To put it simply, we want to play, and now," reads the starting paragraph of the statement.

"Our anger, frustration and distress has now been replaced by desperation. Desperation to play the game we love, in front of people who mean everything to us our families, our fans.

"This is a plea to all those involved in running our sport in the country, to do whatever it takes to get the football season underway. India needs its competitive football now more than ever.

"As for us, we remain committed, professional and ready to walk out of that tunnel and onto the pitch the moment we're told we can. All we ask of those running our beautiful game is to match our desperation with honest intent. We've found ourselves in a very dark tunnel for long. We could do with a little light," the statement read.

Players of Kerala Blasters, including the Malayali bunch of Sachin Suresh, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Aimen, Nihal Sudheesh, Mohammed Azhar and Sreekuttan M S have also shared the common statement. Bengaluru FC winger Ryan Williams, who recently accepted Indian nationality, has also shared the post.

The AIFF had a 15-year commercial rights contract with Football Sports Development Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance. That contract is set to lapse in December but the AIFF and FSDL failed to renew the Master Rights Agreement, which has led to this impasse in the ISL.

A Bid Evaluation Committee of the AIFF, headed by Justice (retired) Nageswara Rao, is expected to submit a report before the Supreme Court over the uncertainty in finalising a commercial partner.