The Indian Super League (ISL), once hailed as the future of Indian football, is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. With reports confirming a proposed 10-year moratorium on relegation, many are now questioning whether the league is evolving in the interest of Indian football—or simply protecting commercial stakes.

A League Without Consequences?

In most global football systems, promotion and relegation form the spine of competitive integrity. But in India, the ISL has operated as a closed ecosystem since its inception. While AIFF had previously aligned with the AFC’s roadmap to introduce promotion-relegation between ISL and the I-League, this new proposal could delay that process indefinitely.

This move sends a clear signal: risk and reward are not for everyone—at least not for the clubs already inside the ISL’s elite circle.

The Indian Player Bottleneck

Another major critique lies in player selection trends within ISL clubs. While the league claims to promote domestic talent, it’s mostly limited to full-backs (LB, RB) and wingers (LW, RW). Key positions like centre-backs, central midfielders, and strikers are almost exclusively manned by foreign players.

The implication? Indian players are boxed into non-central roles, stifling their development and limiting national team options. It’s no surprise that India still struggles in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite the resources pumped into the league.

The Reliance Factor

Reliance-backed Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) has been at the forefront of running the ISL since 2014. But insiders now say the group may be planning an exit due to lack of commercial returns.

This shouldn’t come as a shock. Historically, Reliance’s sports involvement has been driven by returns, not reform. Case in point: it co-hosted the 1987 Cricket World Cup in India only after India’s historic 1983 win brought cricket mainstream sponsorship appeal.

Football hasn’t yet given them that return on investment—at least not at IPL-level scale. And with national team performances lagging and viewership plateauing, the exit door suddenly looks more appealing than the reform desk.

So, What’s Next for Indian Football?

Despite the current concerns, there is reason for hope. The very debate around ISL’s structure, Reliance’s role, and Indian player development shows that fans, journalists, and former players care more than ever.

There’s growing demand for a more inclusive, competitive, and truly Indian football league. The momentum is there—it just needs the right leadership to translate into sustainable action.

The ISL may be losing its way, but Indian football isn’t lost yet.