Four changes FIFA-AFC recommend in AIFF draft constitution

The matter is set to come up in front of the Supreme Court for hearing on 28th July.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) draft constitution has sparked a response from both FIFA and the AFC. The two governing bodies have sent a letter to the CoA (Committee of Administrators) recommending some changes in the draft.

The draft constitution has already been submitted to the Supreme Court, yet to be approved. But before that can be approved, the FIFA-AFC letter has recommended some changes. In particular, there are five aspects of the new constitution which the global governing bodies want to be tweaked.

Reduce number of eminent players in Executive Committee

The first is regarding the number of ex-eminent players in the AIFF’s new (to be formed) executive committee. In the original draft constitution, the CoA had advocated the presence of 35 such individuals from 35 state associations – 50% in total. This was to provide more voting rights and player representation in the body.

However, the FIFA-AFC letter has recommended that only presence of eminent players from 25% of associations is allowed. It has stated that the rest 25% can remain in the executive committee as co-opted members.

The letter states in regards to players’ representation: “Although we agree that the players' voice needs to be heard, we are also of the view that the importance of the existing members of the AIFF should not be undermined.

“To bring in 50 per cent of the members in the Congress structure which equals the current membership structure is not a prudent idea, and the AIFF should seek to be more diverse in future.

“However, we understand the requirements of the Sports Code of India and recommend AIFF to bring in a presence of above 25 per cent of the Eminent Players in the AIFF Executive Committee as Co-opted Members.”

Number of individuals in the AIFF body

The FIFA-AFC body has also disagreed with the number of individuals in the governing body of the new AIFF draft constitution. The COA had recommended 12 members, even though the state associations wanted 17. FIFA has seemingly sided with them, finding issues with COA’s recommendation.

They stated: “FIFA and the AFC are of the view that the relevant provision should specify that any person acting for or representing the President when the latter is permanently or temporarily prevented from performing his/her official function, should be chosen from amongst the existing AIFF Executive Committee members.

“Another option would be to create the position of Vice-President/Vice- Presidents in the AIFF Executive Committee and provide in the AIFF Statutes that such official(s) would step in, in the absence of the President.”

No age limitation for possible candidates

The age limitations factor which was raised in the constitution has also not been courted by FIFA/AFC. The CoA had recommended the executive members to be under the age of 65, but that is not something which the world body can approve.

Another aspect of the draft constitution that has been dismissed is that a state association office-bearer who becomes a member of the AIFF executive committee must relinquish their state body post and vice-versa.

They argued in the letter: “We are of the view that such a proposal would make it difficult for the members to get re-elected again at the respective Member Associations in the event that they cannot serve their full term in the Executive Committee of AIFF for any reason.”

Time running out for approval of new constitution

These recommendations from the governing bodies seem to support the objection made by state football associations. If so, the CoA has to agree and implement the changes quickly. The deadline for getting the new AIFF draft constitution approved by the Supreme Court is July 31. The SC has scheduled its final heading on July 28. If the draft constitution doesn't get finalized by the 31st, Indian football risks a ban from FIFA.