An anonymous source said that the AIFF has been left with no choice but to support the ISL organisers.

Back for its second season, the Indian Super League has an even stronger cast of Indian footballers with Sunil Chhetri, Eugenson Lyngdoh and Robin Singh - all regulars in the national side - signing up after missing the first edition.

But as football fever rises in India once again, there is a disappointing side note. The Indian National team is scheduled to play two World Cup Qualifiers - both away matches, at Turkmenistan and Oman - on 8 October and 13 October. For the eagle-eyed among you, that is a few days after ISL starts on October 3rd.

In a story reported on NDTV, the ISL organisers have refused to release the Indian players for a preparatory training camp. "It is a norm to release national players at least 4 to 5 days before a FIFA game, but unfortunately this is not going to happen," India's coach Stephen Constantine was quoted as saying by NDTV.

It is worth noting that India are yet to register a win in the second round of qualifying games, having lost their matches against Oman, Iran at home and suffering a shock upset in Guam.

The report also states that All India Football Federation (AIFF) remained 'a silent spectator' and an anonymous source said that the AIFF has been left with no choice but to support the ISL organisers.