Bengaluru FC has announced a temporary halt in salary payments to senior players and first-team staff due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL). The club shared the update on social media, citing the indefinite suspension as a necessary response to the lack of clarity over the tournament’s resumption.
The 2025 ISL season was paused after a standoff between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Tensions have escalated, prompting the AIFF to arrange a meeting with the CEOs of eight ISL clubs to discuss the sport’s direction in the country.
In an official statement, Bengaluru FC described the decision as painful but unavoidable. “Sustaining a football club in India has always been challenging, and this situation has pushed us to the edge. With no clear roadmap ahead, we have chosen to temporarily suspend the salaries of our senior squad and staff,” the club said.
Former national captain Sunil Chhetri is among those impacted. However, Bengaluru FC assured that its grassroots and youth development programs—including men’s and women’s teams, along with its Soccer Schools—will operate as usual.
The club emphasized its commitment to the sport and urged both FSDL and AIFF to resolve the dispute swiftly. “This deadlock serves no one. A clear and quick resolution is essential for the future of football in India,” the club concluded.