AIFF calls emergent Executive Committee meet on Sept 6; ISL tender path, Super Cup timing on the table

AIFF likely to stage the Super Cup from mid-October.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has called an emergency Executive Committee meeting for Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 9:00 pm.

The agenda is twofold: clear the way for a transparent tender to select the league operating partner, and take a call on scheduling the Super Cup from mid-October. The notice references the Supreme Court’s order of September 2, 2025 and asks all EC members to join virtually.

Agendas of the AIFF meeting Executive Committee:

• Approve RFQ terms to hire a professional firm for managing the league partner tender.
• Form a Tender Committee to oversee the RFQ and partner selection process.
• Set up a three-member Oversight Committee for transparency in the process.
• Approve scheduling of the Super Cup from mid-October.

Also Read: Supreme Court orders AIFF to begin football season; Justice Nageswara Rao to oversee ISL tender process

Tender process under spotlight

One of the main issues on the agenda is the approval of a Request for Qualification (RFQ). This will enable AIFF to appoint one of the “Big Four” professional services firms to guide and manage the tender process for selecting a commercial partner for the Indian Super League. The plan initially suggested that one of the “Big Four” firms — Deloitte, EY, PwC, or KPMG — could independently monitor the process.

However, the Supreme Court has appointed Justice L. Nageswara Rao to oversee the tender. He will ensure transparency, fairness, and global best practices are followed.

“The AIFF shall also issue necessary tenders inviting bids for open, competitive and transparent process for selection of its commercial partner to conduct Indian Super League.

For this purpose, we have requested and upon his agreement, appoint Justice L. Nageswara Rao, former Judge of this Court to ensure that the selection process enures in identifying a competent, reputed and an efficient firm as a commercial partner to conduct ISL, in line with global best practices.

Justice L. Nageswara Rao may also appoint one or two professionals to assist him in this regard,” Supreme Court said in the latest order.

Alongside the RFQ green light, the EC will be asked to constitute a Tender Committee to steer the RFQ and the subsequent partner selection, and a three-member Oversight Committee to keep the process clean and on schedule. Justice Rao is likely to be part of the Oversight Committee and has been informed of the development by AIFF.

Super Cup and the immediate calendar

Beyond governance, the EC will discuss bringing the Super Cup back from mid-October. Clubs have sought a clear preseason and start date before committing to a short, neutral-venue tournament; fixing the Super Cup window now gives the game a competitive restart while the commercial tender runs its course.

Why does this meeting matter?

This is the first concrete step since the Court’s latest order, and the timelines are tight. Approval on Saturday would allow AIFF to issue the RFQ, stand up the committees, and publish Super Cup dates, putting football back on the pitch. At the same time, the ISL operator is selected through an open, supervised process.

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