Kolkata: For Mohammedan Sporting, the crisis is no longer simply about football. It is about whether one of Indian football’s oldest institutions can restore financial and administrative stability before attempting to rebuild on the pitch. The club’s return to the second tier after two seasons in the ISL has exposed problems that extend well beyond results. Financial uncertainty, instability in the administration and the unresolved question of investment have left one of Indian football’s most historic clubs at a critical juncture.
Mohammedan’s 2025-26 ISL campaign was a season to forget. They finished bottom of the table with three points and no victories, their relegation eventually confirmed after a heavy defeat to Mumbai City FC. The manner of the campaign reflected the limitations under which the club had been operating. But relegation itself is not the central issue. The club’s difficulties have been closely linked to its relationship with its investors from the past years. The breakdown of the arrangement with Shrachi Sports and Bunkerhill Private Limited created uncertainty over funding, ownership and the running of the club operations. The removal of the ‘ 2 months ‘ president Humayun Kabir ( MLA, Naoda, West Bengal ) following the reported bouncing of three cheques worth ₹1.5 crore added another layer to an already unsettled administrative situation on the other side the new president of the club is Ghazal Uz Zafar.
Just two years ago, Mohammedan had won the I-League and returned to the top flight amid enormous optimism. Their ISL debut represented the latest chapter in a historic journey. Within two seasons, they have gone from promotion celebrations to relegation and another financial reset as Mohammedan are heading back into the Indian Football League, with the 2026-27 competition scheduled to begin on October 16. But even at this stage, there is considerable uncertainty around the club’s preparedness. Mohammedan were notably absent from the July 27 IFL Governing Council meeting attended by representatives of the other 10 participating clubs.
