• Source:JND
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Indian footballers, led by stalwarts Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and many other footballers, have issued a heartfelt plea to administrators to get the currently paused Indian Super League (ISL) season underway, citing that their "anger and frustration" has turned into desperation now.

The players' desperate plea follows the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) recent disclosure that no submissions were received for the ISL's commercial rights, despite publishing a Request for Proposal (RFP) on October 16.

"Where we are right now is not a delay anymore; it's a standstill for the coaches, fans, staff members, and players. We have worked too hard, sacrificed too much to let our season vanish in silence," said star defender Sandesh Jhingan in a video posted on his social media handles.

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"The entire Indian football ecosystem are hanging in uncertainty. Dreams are paused. The future is being questioned. Every day we wait, Indian football bleeds. We need action and we need it now," he asserted.

Several national team footballers like Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu published a text statement echoing similar sentiments.

"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," the statement read.

"Our anger, frustration and distress has now been replaced by desperation.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," the statement added.

Chhetri also added on Instagram, "We are all standing shoulder to shoulder, willing to do whatever it takes to resurrect the sport we love."

The statement nudged the game's administrators to figure out a way out of the present crisis, which has provoked top clubs like Mohun Bagan to stop training.

"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," it said.

"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, 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," it added.

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Meanwhile, the AIFF Bid Evaluation Committee, led by (retired) Justice Nageswara Rao and established on the orders of the Supreme Court, will present a report on the proposal fiasco to the top court, which is monitoring the entire process.

The AIFF now meets a fresh challenge in booking a commercial framework for the ISL -- the country's top event that was established in 2014 amid hopes of transforming Indian football's profile and revenue base.

(With PTI Inputs)

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