Sunil Chhetri (PTI Photo)

In a dramatic and worrying development for Indian football, Indian Super League (ISL) side Bengaluru FC have announced the indefinite suspension of salaries for its first-team players and staff, including iconic striker and former national team captain Sunil Chhetri. The decision comes amid escalating uncertainty around the future of the ISL, which remains suspended following an unresolved standoff between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Bengaluru FC took to social media on Monday to deliver the difficult news to fans and stakeholders, stating, "In view of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League season, Bengaluru Football Club has taken what is a very difficult decision of indefinitely suspending the salaries of players and staff belonging to the First Team. Running and sustaining a football club in India has always been an uphill climb, one that we have put everything aside and made, season after season." The club emphasized the emotional toll the situation is taking on the team and their families, adding, "However, the lack of clarity on the League's future leaves us with no choice but to take this step. The future and well-being of our players, staff, and their families is of utmost importance to us, and we are in touch with them as we wait for a resolution." While this suspension applies to first-team operations, the club has assured that its youth development programs and grassroots operations remain unaffected: "The Club remains committed to growing and developing the sport and our operations with our youth teams - men and women - and BFC Soccer Schools remain unaffected by this decision. We urge the AIFF and FSDL to end this impasse swiftly. The uncertainty benefits no one, and a prompt resolution is vital for the future of Indian football." This move comes just two weeks after Sunil Chhetri himself raised concerns about the bleak outlook for Indian football. On July 16, he wrote on X: "It began with worrying about how I am on borrowed time with what I have left in the tank. But speaking with players from across clubs, I've realized that my selfish problem isn't as important. Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with." The AIFF is expected to meet with club CEOs soon in an attempt to find common ground and salvage what remains of the season.

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