The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) on Saturday urged the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to “to respect players’ contractual entitlements” amid multiple reports of players in the league having to accept pay cuts. The league is scheduled to start on February 14, five months later than the usual schedule, which has led to clubs incurring heavy losses.
It has also resulted in most players going for months without pay and, in the days since the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the new start date for the league, multiple clubs have announced that players have agreed to take pay cuts for this season.
“Many have been forced to rely on personal savings, take short-term contracts in state leagues, or seek alternative employment simply to support themselves and their families,” FIFPRO Asia/Oceania said in its official statement.
“Despite these extraordinary challenges, players have continued to demonstrate Incredible professionalism. Alarmingly, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has received recent reports that several clubs are pressuring contracted players into accepting salary reductions.”
STATEMENT | @FIFPROAsiaOce calls on all Indian Super League (ISL) Clubs to respect players’ contractual entitlements. pic.twitter.com/kivdirMDp2
— FIFPRO Asia/Oceania (@FIFPROAsiaOce) January 16, 2026
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Multiple clubs have now asked the players to take a salary cut of up to 25 per cent as the owners find ways to cut costs ahead of a truncated season. FC Goa had announced that their players had agreed to the cuts. FIFPro said that it respects any voluntary agreement that players make with their clubs but flagged reports of clubs coercing players into accepting cuts.
“Such actions undermine essential protections enshrined in the FIFA and AIFF Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), which require clubs to honour their financial commitments and prevent unilateral changes to their employment contracts,” it added.
“While FIFPRO Asia/Oceania and the Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI) respect any agreement voluntarily entered into between players and clubs and encourage good faith negotiations, it underlines that any attempt to coerce players into amending their terms represents abusive practice under the FIFA and AIFF BSTP. Any player subjected to this can rely upon the full support of PFAI and FIFPRO.
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“FIFPRO and FIFPRO Asia/Oceania remain committed to working with all parties to restore Integrity, stability, and respect for players’ contracts within Indian football,” it added.
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