New Delhi: Seven candidates including former All India Football Federation secretary Anilkumar Prabhakaran have applied for the position of League Commissioner of the Indian Super League but participating clubs have deemed none of them to inspire “adequate confidence”.

Anilkumar was the “only recognisable name” among the shortlisted candidates, it was informed at a meeting between AIFF and the five-member ISL Clubs’ interim committee for 2025-26 season on Friday.

But the interim committee, comprising FC Goa, NorthEast United, Chennaiyin FC, Jamshedpur FC and SC Delhi, felt that the “current shortlist does not inspire adequate confidence given the scale and complexity of the League”.

“It was noted that a stronger and more credible candidate will be essential to effectively align stakeholders and provide leadership during the transitional phase,” it was noted in the minutes of the meeting.

Initially an AIFF executive committee member who has served as Kerala Football Association secretary for over a decade, Anilkumar took charge as secretary general in July 2024. Delhi High Court put a stay order on the appointment in April 2025.

Following unsuccessful attempts to lift the stay order, he resigned recently before applying for the post of League Commissioner, eligibility for which requires “senior leadership experience in professional football administration or related industries, certificate in AFC Football Administration and Management Course FIFA Management Certificate and experience of at least 10 years at a State-level or National-level football administration”, among other requirements.

AIFF advertised for the top post on Jan 25 keeping the last date for applications on Jan 30 (Friday), and in a separate letter, the clubs wrote of the need for “strengthening recruitment governance” in order to enhance consistency, transparency, and accountability in senior and “strategically significant appointments”.

The clubs’ committee will work with AIFF to “vet, evaluate, approve, and endorse appointments”, keeping in mind the best interests of all stakeholders.

All approved appointments will be subjected to a defined probationary period prior to confirmation of appointment and decisions will be taken in accordance with agreed quorum.

With an eye on long-term framework, recruitment governance will be reviewed at the conclusion of the first season (2025-26).

AIFF has advertised for five positions, including the League Commissioner, so far and is willing to hire for two more positions in consultation with the clubs’ committee.

Each of the 14 clubs are supposed to pay Rs 1 crore as participation fee and a minimum of Rs 1 crore more for operational purposes.

They were asked to confirm participation with the fee by January 12 but acknowledging bleeding clubs’ financial concerns AIFF agreed to accept it in instalments to be paid up until June 2026.

But clubs are yet to agree on the feasibility and timelines of payments despite AIFF relaxing norms to make them comfortable.

Clubs are willing to review the proposed timelines and provide feedback on comfort levels for payment.

With kick-off on Feb 14 fast approaching, AIFF has already identified a panel of referees and begun preparatory work with them and had decided to hire a dedicated social media agency in “due course”.

The deadline for submission of bids for media rights of this season’s ISL is February 1.