Delhi HC stays Anil Prabhakaran’s appointment as AIFF secretary general

AIFF’s election for the post violates guidelines from an older circular.

The appointment of the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) new Secretary General has hit a major snag following the latest developments. In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has stayed the appointment, highlighting concerns over the adherence to governance standards set by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

A petition filed by Ranjit Bajaj, the Director of Delhi FC, challenged the AIFF’s appointment of Anilkumar Prabhakaran, a matter heard in front of Justice Sachin Datta. The petition alleged that Prabhakaran’s appointment violated a MoYAS circular issued in February 2022.

The circular emphasized good governance practices within National Sports Federations (NSFs), prohibiting individuals who once held elected posts in an NSF from being appointed to administrative posts like Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Secretary General.

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The Union of India has questioned Anilkumar Prabhakaran’s appointment

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Mr. Bajaj, informed the court that the appointee was an elected member of AIFF’s Executive Committee before being elected for the post of Secretary General. Mehra argued that the resignation from the elected post to take up the salaried position of Secretary General was directly breaching the spirit and letter of the Ministry’s older circular.

As stipulated, the circular prevents individuals in elected positions from transitioning into paid administrative roles within the same federation. The rule aimed to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure the integrity of the federation’s governance.

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The AIFF’s argument was ruled unconvincing

The AIFF’s legal team, led by senior advocate Jayant Mehta, contended that the restrictions applied only to individuals attempting to bypass tenure rules. However, Justice Datta found the federation’s argument unconvincing.

The Union of India, through senior advocate Mehra, also affirmed that the appointment was impermissible under the present guidelines, further reinforcing the Ministry’s position. Following the arguments, the Delhi HC stayed the appointment until the next hearing, which is scheduled for April 8, 2025.

The decision brings to light the increasing scrutiny on sports governance while calling for transparent and conflict-free management of Indian football.

The case set for a final hearing on 8th April could have seismic implications for the future of AIFF’s governance. It could also impact the efforts to modernize its administrative structure to adhere to the principles of fair and effective leadership.

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