Key Highlights from AIFF Executive Committee Meeting on July 2

AIFF and Manolo Marquez mutually part ways following the meeting.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Executive Committee convened a meeting on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, under the leadership of President Kalyan Chaubey. Several important topics were discussed, including the future of the Indian men’s football team and structural changes in domestic football.

Present at the meeting were Technical Committee Deputy Chairpersons Shabbir Ali and Harjinder Singh, along with members Tababi Devi and Climax Lawrence. AIFF advisors Armando Colaco and Bimal Ghosh, Technical Director Syed Sabir Pasha, Director of National Teams Subrata Paul, and other Executive Committee members also attended.

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Highlights from AIFF ExCo Meeting

Manolo Marquez steps down from head coach role

As recommended earlier by the Technical Committee, the AIFF has officially ended its association with senior men’s national team head coach Manolo Marquez. The Spaniard, who took charge in June 2024, has mutually parted ways with the federation after one year at the helm.

During his stint, India managed to win just one out of eight matches. With the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification hanging by a thread, India must now win all four of their remaining qualifiers. The AIFF will soon begin accepting applications for the vacant head coach position through an open recruitment process.

SAFF players may be registered as domestic signings

The federation also discussed the possibility of allowing players from SAFF nations to be registered as domestic players. At present, clubs can register only six foreign players per squad.

The South Asian Football Federation includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bangladesh. Afghanistan, a former SAFF member, now belongs to the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA).

AIFF budget approved only until December 2025

The Executive Committee passed the 2025-26 football season budget, but only for the period until December 2025. The limitation is due to the current Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with FSDL, which is set to expire at the end of the year.

FSDL has tabled a fresh 10-year plan that proposes to keep the league relegation-free and a 60% share distribution to ISL clubs. However, no consensus has been reached, and the future structure of the Indian Super League remains uncertain.

Also Read: FSDL proposes new ISL ownership model, seeks 10-year relegation freeze in fresh deal with AIFF

National team performance under scrutiny

India’s dip in form, with just one win since January 2024, was a major concern in the meeting. The Blue Tigers, once within the FIFA top 100, have now slid closer to the 130s.

To improve performances, the committee proposed reducing the number of foreign players to boost game time for Indian strikers. They also discussed fielding U-23 players in the I-League to prepare them better for international competitions like the Asian Games. Final decisions will follow consultations with league management and club officials.

Promotion-relegation dilemma and Inter Kashi’s case

The new FSDL proposal to continue without relegation in the ISL for the next decade remains a contentious issue. It contradicts the Asian Football Confederation’s roadmap, which calls for the immediate implementation of promotion and relegation.

The committee also discussed the legal tussle involving Inter Kashi. While Churchill Brothers clinched the 2024-25 I-League title on the pitch, Inter Kashi may be declared champions if they win their appeal in the Mario Barco case. The club had initially ruled the Spanish forward out for the season, only to later re-register and play him — allegedly against regulations. AIFF disciplinary committee docked them four points, but a verdict from CAS is expected by mid-July.

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