Explained: SC appoints Justice Nageswara Rao to oversee AIFF tender, one line sparks confusion

Bench nods tender by September 15; ‘Big Four’ plan set aside as Justice Rao asked to oversee process.

The Supreme Court’s much-awaited order has given Indian football a path forward and a fresh headache. The court has appointed Justice L. Nageswara Rao to oversee the tender process to finalise the AIFF’s commercial partner, even as it cleared the federation to issue a tender by September 15, 2025, as proposed jointly by AIFF and FSDL.

In their joint plan, AIFF and FSDL had suggested asking the “Big Four” — Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG — to monitor the tender independently. The court has set that aside, instead naming Justice Rao to preside over the process in the interest of transparency.

For now, fans can breathe easier on one count: the short order did not touch AIFF elections. That aligns with FIFA’s view that the current committee led by Kalyan Chaubey is a full-term body, contrary to arguments in court calling it interim. But by the evening, a new concern surfaced — could appointing a former Supreme Court judge be read by FIFA as third-party interference if the order’s fine print is misread?

Also Read: Supreme Court orders AIFF to begin football season; Justice Nageswara Rao to oversee ISL tender process

What did the Supreme Court say?

The Bench recorded the following in Tuesday’s order:

“The AIFF shall also issue necessary tenders inviting bids for open, competitive and transparent process for selection of its commercial partner to conduct Indian Super League.

For this purpose, we have requested and upon his agreement, appoint Justice L. Nageswara Rao, former Judge of this Court to ensure that the selection process enures in identifying a competent, reputed and an efficient firm as a commercial partner to conduct ISL, in line with global best practices.

Justice L. Nageswara Rao may also appoint one or two professionals to assist him in this regard.”

🚨 Honourable Supreme Court bench of Justice Sri Narasimha & Justice Joymalya Bagchi, on the advice of the amicus, suggested that the tender process of AIFF’s commercial rights might be overseen by Justice L. Nageswara Rao instead of involving any of the “Big Four.” @KhelNow

— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) September 1, 2025

The court considered the Amicus Curiae’s advice. Amicus Gopal Sankaranarayan had suggested appointing Justice Rao, who previously played a key role in finalising the draft AIFF constitution, on which a detailed judgment is still awaited.

The clause clouding interpretation

The order is clear that Justice Rao will ensure the process is open and transparent. What it doesn’t spell out explicitly is who takes the final call on awarding the rights, AIFF’s elected body, or an external overseer.

“Appointment of Justice L. Nageswara Rao to oversee the whole process is not a problem, but the order leaves FIFA to interpret final details like who will conduct the whole process and take the final decision”, said the global legal sports expert.

One school of thought interprets “oversee” as process supervision, with AIFF conducting and deciding; others are concerned that the absence of a clearly defined decision-maker could be misinterpreted abroad.

🚨 After speaking to global sports legal experts, appointment of ex-Justice L. Nageswara Rao to oversee AIFF’s commercial tender process could be flagged by FIFA as third-party interference.AIFF must urgently open a channel with FIFA to ensure correct interpretation & seek…

— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) September 2, 2025

“AIFF need to get clarification from Justice Nageswaro Rao regarding who will have final say on the tender, and post that inform FIFA that Justice Rao is there to oversee the process and the elected body will take the final decision on the tender”, added the global legal sports expert.

Why it matters for FIFA compliance?

FIFA’s statutes bar third-party influence in member associations. If the order is understood as external control, it risks raising red flags. If it’s clarified as judicially-appointed oversight to guarantee fairness while AIFF retains the decision, it sits within global best practice. That single clarification could be the difference between a green light and a grey area.

What happens next

• Tender timeline: AIFF has court backing to issue the tender by September 15, 2025.
• Oversight: Justice Rao can appoint professionals to assist him.
• Clarity needed: AIFF would be wise to seek clarification from the Bench or Justice Rao on final authority, then formally update FIFA that the elected body makes the award decision with Justice Rao overseeing process integrity.
• Full judgment awaited: A detailed order on the AIFF constitution is still to come — and should settle any residual ambiguity.

Until that clarification lands, the roadmap is visible but a little foggy: issue the tender on time, keep the process clean under Justice Rao’s watch, and make sure who decides is beyond doubt.

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