FIFA–AFC warn AIFF to end crisis and adopt new constitution by 30 October or face ban

The joint letter also asks for the implementation of India’s new National Sports Governance Act.

India was banned by FIFA on August 16, 2022, for third-party influence after the Supreme Court appointed a committee of administrators to run the federation’s day-to-day affairs. The ban was lifted ten days later following government intervention, which paved the way for elections that saw Kalyan Chaubey elected president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Indian football is facing similar circumstances again, as clearly stated in the joint letter signed by Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, and Vahid Kardany, Deputy General Secretary, Member Associations, AFC.

“We write to you to express our profound concern at the continued failure to finalise and implement the revised Constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), a matter that has remained under consideration since proceedings before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in 2017. Despite repeated assurances, the absence of a clear and compliant governance framework has now created an untenable vacuum and legal uncertainties at the heart of Indian football,” the letter states.

Supreme Court freeze on MRA talks threw ISL 2025–26 season into doubt

In April 2025, the Supreme Court reserved its decision in the case and issued a directive: the AIFF was asked not to negotiate new terms of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the commercial partner running the Indian Super League (ISL), until a final judgment is delivered in the AIFF draft constitution case. With the MRA set to expire on 8 December 2025, FSDL formally put the ISL 2025–26 season on hold, as they do not have the rights to organise it beyond that date.

“A prolonged impasse has precipitated a governance and operational crisis. Clubs and players remain uncertain regarding the domestic competition calendar; commercial partnerships beyond December 2025 remain unconfirmed; and essential functions relating to development, competitions, and marketing are increasingly compromised. The resulting lack of financial stability has had a profoundly negative impact on India’s football ecosystem, particularly affecting footballers employed by clubs participating in the Indian Super League (ISL), which is organised under the auspices of the AIFF.

We have received concerning reports from FIFPRO of the unilateral termination of players’ employment contracts by various clubs, as a direct consequence of the current impasse, affecting the players livelihoods and careers. Furthermore, the enactment of India’s new National Sports Governance Act places an additional and immediate obligation on the AIFF to align its Constitution with both national legislation and the mandatory requirements of FIFA and the AFC,” the letter further added.

The letter makes clear that if AIFF does not follow FIFA Statutes there is another FIFA ban coming for Indian football. FIFA and the AFC have also taken notice of India’s new National Sports Governance Act, which the Sports Minister has already shown to both parties, and asked AIFF to ensure its Constitution aligns with national legislation and the mandatory requirements of FIFA and the AFC.

As the courts resumed operations after the summer break on 14 July 2025, and three ISL clubs suspended salaries, no decision came from the Court. ISL clubs then requested AIFF to mention the case in Court; AIFF initially agreed but later made a U-turn. The case was mentioned in the Supreme Court on 22 August 2025 by Amici Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Samar Bansal, and the Court allowed AIFF and FSDL to discuss the way forward for the upcoming 2025–26 season, listing 28 August 2025 to consider a joint proposal from both parties.

FIFA and the AFC have asked AIFF to take the following steps no later than 30 October 2025 or face a FIFA ban:

1. Secure a definitive order from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India approving the revised AIFF Constitution.
2. Ensure full alignment of the AIFF Constitution with the mandatory provisions of the FIFA and AFC Statutes and regulations.
3. Obtain formal ratification of the AIFF Constitution at the next AIFF General Meeting.

“Failure to meet this schedule will leave us with no alternative but to refer the matter to the relevant FIFA decision-making body for consideration and decision. In this context, we kindly remind the AIFF of its obligation to manage its affairs independently and without any undue third-party influence, including government bodies, as enshrined in article 14 paragraph 1 (i) and article 19 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes, as well as article 15 paragraph 4 of the AFC Statutes.

Failure to adhere to this obligation may result in sanctions outlined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes, including the possibility of suspension. Furthermore, a member association may face consequences for third-party influence, even if it is not directly at fault (cf. article 14 paragraph 3 of the FIFA Statutes and article 10 paragraph 1 (t) and 2 of the AFC Statutes). A suspension of the AIFF would result in the loss of all of its rights as a FIFA and AFC member, as defined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes,” the letter further said.

Indian football is again being used by different parties for vested interests, and those interests have held back the sport’s growth.

“FIFA-AFC have taken notice of how different parties in the AIFF Constitution case have diverted the case from its core cause, i.e constitution, instead of discussing in the last few hearings, which have again and again been made about MRA, and which have delayed the decision in the case and put Indian Football on hold,” said a source tracking the development.

All eyes on the Supreme Court hearing on August 28

Fans will hope that with this letter and the next hearing scheduled for 28 August 2025, there will be closure, with a final decision that allows Indian football to breathe again and domestic competition to resume.

“In view of the above, it is imperative that this letter be presented before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and duly communicated to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India. The AIFF must regard this communication as binding and requiring immediate compliance in order to safeguard its rights as a member of FIFA and the AFC,” the letter ended.

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