Fresh AIFF elections sought by involved parties; Supreme Court to pass order in constitution case shortly

The Supreme Court on Monday stated that the judgment is ready and will pass an order shortly.

The hon’ble Supreme Court bench of Justice Sri Narasimha & Justice Joymalya Bagchi convened again on Monday to discuss the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Constitution case.

The bench heard the final observations of various parties on the new National Sports Governance Act and how the new AIFF constitution can be aligned with the legislation.

The court also heard the demands of a fresh election to be conducted to bring a new AIFF executive committee to replace the interim executive committee headed by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.

The Supreme Court informed that the judgment is ready and no further delay will be made as the order will be passed ‘shortly’.

🚨 “We will pass a short order, which will be followed by a detailed judgment.” – Honourable Supreme Court bench of Justice Sri Narasimha & Justice Joymalya Bagchi on the AIFF Constitution case. #IndianFootball

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

Push for fresh elections

During the hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday, representatives from various parties reminded the Hon’ble judges of the interim nature of the current executive committee in the AIFF. Prashant Bhushan, who is representing Delhi FC in the matter, pushed for the fresh elections.

🚨 Rahul Mehra, Prashant Bhushan, and Bhaichung Bhutia’s lawyer all reminded the Honourable Supreme Court that fresh AIFF elections must be held. #IndianFootball

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

Counsel representing Bhaichung Bhutia supported Prashant Bhushan by referring to the fresh process and tender of the commercial rights, which, in his opinion, should be finalised by the new executive committee elected under the framework of the new constitution of AIFF.

“This new FSDL contract will govern Indian Football for the next ten to fifteen years. Logically, an election should take place, and the new committee should determine the fate of Indian Football for the next fifteen years. Why should a body which is interim to that extent determine the fate?” said the counsel representing Bhaichung Bhutia.

FIFA Ban incoming?

These arguments have raised a pertinent question about the possibility of a third-party interference if the Supreme Court directs the AIFF to conduct fresh elections.

If FIFA views this decision by the Supreme Court as an interference by a third party, then India might be banned again, as the global body does not tolerate any kind of third-party interference in the day-to-day administration of the federation. A similar situation arose in 2022, which resulted in a FIFA ban.

Justice Nageswara Rao to oversee tender

In a significant observation, Amicus Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan suggested that Justice L. Nageswara Rao should oversee the new tender to finalise the commercial rights. In its joint proposal with the FSDL, AIFF had submitted that it would issue a tender for the commercial rights by September 15, 2025.

🚨 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

In the joint proposal, both parties agreed that the tendering process might be monitored by one of the ‘big four’ independent firms, i.e., Deloitte, KPMG, Ernst & Young, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). It was done to ensure transparency in the exercise. However, the court has set aside that proposal and nudged Former Justice L. Nageswara Rao, who also drafted the new AIFF constitution, to monitor the process.

Judgment expected on Tuesday

The judges once again asserted on Monday that the judgment is ready.

Considering the observations of the various parties in relation to the new National Sports Governance Bill, Justice Narsimha remarked, “It (the judgement) will now have to abide by the act once it comes into force. Once it comes into force and subject to whatever the subordinate legislation, but in the meanwhile, this (the order) can be operated.”

Justice Narsimha made it clear that the priority is to pronounce the order.

“The reason is that we don’t want the Constitution to be delayed further,” said the judge.

At the end, the bench declared that they will shortly deliver the judgment. Many were expecting the judgment to come today itself, but that was not the case. Tuesday might be the day of judgment in this case.

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