Chhetri-led Bengaluru FC put club first, agree to pay cuts for ISL

In a rare show of unity and responsibility, Bengaluru FC players led by Sunil Chhetri have agreed to voluntary pay cuts to help the club navigate the financial strain of the delayed and truncated Indian Super League season, set to restart on February 14.

Club owner Parth Jindal confirmed the decision, calling it one of the toughest phases in the franchise’s history and praising the players for putting the club’s survival ahead of personal earnings. He said the management held open and honest discussions with the squad before arriving at the decision.

Indian football has been grappling with uncertainty for months. The league remained paused for over four months after the earlier organiser’s Master Rights Agreement with the All India Football Federation collapsed, throwing the season into doubt. With revenues shrinking and operational costs rising, several clubs faced serious financial pressure.

Jindal admitted that without player cooperation, Bengaluru FC might have struggled to continue operations. The squad, which includes senior names like Chhetri and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu , chose to reduce their remuneration to ensure the club’s participation.

Meanwhile, the club has appointed former India international Renedy Singh as head coach for the upcoming campaign.

The revised ISL season will feature 14 teams playing 13 matches each , totalling 91 home and away fixtures. Clubs are expected to bear 60 percent of the financial burden , roughly Rs 1 crore per team, with the overall season cost estimated at Rs 25 crore.

Bengaluru FC are not alone. FC Goa players and staff have also accepted pay cuts , highlighting a broader spirit of sacrifice across Indian football.

As the league prepares to restart, this gesture from players reflects a deeper message: keeping the game alive now matters more than individual contracts.