AIFF faces legal wrath as HFA president seeks reinstatement after court setback

Suraj Pal was elected as the Haryana Football Association president back in August 2024.

Haryana Football Association (HFA) President Suraj Pal Amu has sent a legal notice to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey, requesting recognition of his elected committee.

This comes after the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed his legal appeal challenging the Haryana government’s decision to declare the 2024 HFA elections invalid.

In the notice, Amu also objected to the AIFF’s decision to endorse an ad hoc committee, allegedly at the request of the Haryana Olympic Association, claiming that such a move is unconstitutional and undermines the autonomy of democratically elected football bodies.

“Subsequently, on the alleged request of the Haryana Olympic Association (HOA), a body with no constitutional role in the affairs of football and a letter dated 27.06.2025 was issued by the State Registrar, followed by an order dated 28.06.2025 passed on holiday by the District Registrar, Gurugram, purporting to constitute an Ad Hoc Committee for HFA under the guidance and supervision of the HOA,” the notice reads.

“That shockingly and unconstitutionally, AIFF, through its Deputy Secretary General Mr. M. Satyanarayan, issued a letter dated 18.07.2025, endorsing this HOA-driven action and appointing a five-member committee, without convening the Executive Committee of AIFF or following due process under its own Constitution,” it adds.

Court Setback and State Government Orders Fresh Elections

Amu had assumed charge as HFA president on August 23, 2024, after elections monitored by AIFF and a court observer. However, on June 16, 2025, the District Registrar of Gurugram declared the election process void, citing violations of the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Societies (HRRS) Act.

Following this, the Haryana government appointed an administrator to oversee the association’s daily affairs and conduct fresh elections. The decision followed a legal appeal from Sandeep Mor, Sheikh Sabera Begum, and Suresh Kumar, who challenged the transparency and procedural fairness of the 2024 elections.

The Registrar’s findings included discrepancies in the electoral process, such as failure to issue timely notices, lack of a public schedule, and suspected manipulation in the voters’ list. Notably, women representatives were allegedly denied voting rights, violating the IOC’s mandate for 50% female participation.

HFA President Calls the Order Arbitrary and Politically Influenced

Amu challenged the Registrar’s ruling in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. However, after two hearings on July 1 and 2, the court disposed of the matter, compelling Amu to approach AIFF directly for intervention.

In his earlier letter to Kalyan Chaubey, Amu labelled the Registrar’s order as “arbitrary and tainted with bias.” He argued that the hearing was unreasonably changed and claimed the decision was made under “extraneous pressure.”

“Declaring the elections null and void, after previously approving them, reflects non-application of mind,” Amu wrote. “This interferes with democratic functioning and destabilizes legally elected bodies.”

He also cited that the decision to appoint an administrator despite an elected committee being in place undermines the autonomy of registered sports associations.

Amu Alleges Political Overreach and Threatens Legal Action

Amu’s legal notice further questioned the AIFF’s decision to endorse a rival ad hoc committee on July 18, 2025, allegedly on the request of the Haryana Olympic Association. He argued that the association has no jurisdiction over football matters and accused the AIFF of breaching its own constitution.

“AIFF has acted beyond its constitutional authority by bypassing its Executive Committee and appointing a committee including a representative of HOA, a non-football body, which renders the appointment ultra vires, arbitrary, and illegal,” the notice reads.

Citing Articles 14(2)(aa), 16, and 17.1-17.3 of the AIFF constitution, Amu claimed that the federation’s actions were in direct violation of the principles of fair governance. He also stated that Article 18.3 mandates recognition of only democratically elected bodies.

Moreover, he warned that continuing on this course may draw the ire of international bodies like FIFA and the AFC, possibly putting India’s standing at risk.

Demands and Next Steps from HFA President

Amu’s demands include:

• Immediate withdrawal of the July 18 letter that recognised the ad hoc committee.
• Reinstatement of the elected HFA committee.
• A special executive committee meeting to resolve the issue.

He has given AIFF 15 days to respond, failing which he would initiate “civil, criminal, and contempt proceedings” against the involved parties.

Amu concluded by reminding the AIFF of its obligations under FIFA and AFC norms, warning that non-compliance could lead to international sanctions.

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