AIFF Constitution case mentioned in the Supreme Court; next hearing on August 22

Court takes note of the Sports Bill, Amici flag unpaid players and MRA clock

After the All India Football Federation (AIFF) backed away from its plan to mention the draft-constitution issue on August 18, the matter still reached the honourable Supreme Court on Monday. 

Amici Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Samar Bansal placed it before the Bench of Justices P. S. Narasimha and Atul Chandurkar.

The Supreme Court has indicated it wants to hear all sides on the National Sports Governance Bill, noting that the Bill was considered while finalising the AIFF’s new constitution. The Court has listed the case for August 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM, following its reservation of the order in April 2025.

BREAKING: Supreme Court on AIFF Draft Constitution case @KhelNow “The decision is ready, but we must consider the new National Sports Bill. A date will be given soon (Likely Friday, 2 PM).”#IndianFootball

— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) August 18, 2025

What happened in the Supreme Court on August 18?

Proceedings opened with Justice Narasimha informing parties that the judgment is in its final stages of writing. Senior Counsel Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the AIFF, apprised the Court of the National Sports Bill passed by Parliament last week, adding that it is likely to be notified within a week.

Justice Narasimha responded that the Court had already examined the Bill and made corresponding changes to the draft constitution, and now wished to hear the views of all parties.

The Amici flagged the immediate, ground-level impact: players have not been paid for a month in some cases, and there is no league football amid uncertainty, with the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and FSDL set to expire on 8 December 2025.

Justice Narasimha stated that the Court would pronounce its decision before December 8. The Amicus pressed for urgency, citing the league’s operational timeline.

Because the Indian Super League (ISL) typically runs from September to April, an MRA that lapses mid-season makes it impractical for FSDL to lock sponsors and broadcasters for a whole campaign when their rights to organise the league via MRA expire on 8 December 2025.

“FSDL is using the Court’s last order not to fulfil their contractual commitment,” Amicus Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted, adding that he also recommends not allowing AIFF and FSDL to negotiate a new MRA in the last hearing. “The Court should ask AIFF to ensure FSDL fulfils the current agreement or terminate the contract if they can’t.”

Senior Advocate Ritin Rai, representing FSDL, sought to reply but was not heard due to a lack of time.

Recognising the urgency, the Bench scheduled the next hearing for 22 August 2025 at 2:00 p.m. and stated that notices would be issued accordingly.

Trust broken between AIFF & ISL clubs

Last week, the AIFF president, Kalyan Chaubey, informed clubs that the federation would assist in presenting the matter to the Court. A formal letter assured a mention, followed by an email from AIFF’s counsel to all parties on Sunday afternoon. Hence, by 9 PM Sunday, the federation informed stakeholders it would not raise the issue.

“AIFF president has been giving media interviews about helping ISL clubs, and after putting it in writing that they would mention the case in the Supreme Court, how can AIFF backtrack like this? No one can trust the AIFF president’s words now,” a source close to the development told Khel Now last night.

The sudden U-turn has deepened mistrust. Pre-seasons are stalled, payments are blocked, and clubs are unsure whether a new ISL campaign will kick off at all. Players remain unpaid, staff face uncertainty, and the livelihoods of over 5,000 people tied to the ecosystem are at risk.

AIFF has cited the impending National Sports Bill—and the need to align governance with it as the reason for stepping back from Monday’s mention.

Meanwhile, the global players’ union FIFPRO have written to FIFA, calling the situation “alarming,” highlighting reports of contracts being suspended until further notice, and urging football’s world body to help stabilise the league and safeguard players’ rights.

AIFF release justification for the sudden backtracking

The AIFF explained that its sudden change came after legal advice linked to the passing of the National Sports Governance Bill. Since the Amicus Curiae had already raised the matter in court, the AIFF’s counsel made oral submissions.

They will now file written submissions before August 22, highlighting the urgent need to protect league continuity, players, clubs, and everyone whose livelihoods are affected by the uncertainty.

“Based on advice received that the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 had passed both the houses of Parliament, the AIFF’s Senior Counsel advised during a briefing meeting on Sunday late evening that this is the first aspect that needs to be brought to the attention of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

While a decision on the date of mentioning was being contemplated,  the Amicus Curiae himself sent a communication stating that  he would be mentioning the AIFF matter , and thus the hearing proceeded in Hon’ble Supreme Court this morning.

The AIFF Senior Counsel appeared and made oral submissions on certain matters. The Hon’ble Supreme Court has requested written submissions from the parties prior to the next hearing on Friday August 22.

The AIFF intends to use this opportunity to represent to the Hon’ble Supreme Court the urgent need for commercial continuity and to determine the future structure of its top-tier league,  in the interests of players, clubs and other parties all of whose livelihoods are at stake due to the current impasse.” the statement from AIFF read.

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