AIFF Secretary General M. Satyanarayan described the Supreme Court’s interim order in the ongoing AIFF vs FSDL case as “a victory for Indian football”, while emphasising that the Federation will take its next steps only after carefully studying the judgement.
“The order was out yesterday, it is premature for us to comment unless our lawyers get the signed copy of the judgment and AIFF will be briefed,” Satyanarayan told RevSportz. “After that, we also need to apprise the executive committee of the developments and then we can comment on the way forward. The executive committee will advise keeping in mind the SC order. But to put it in a few words, the order is a victory for Indian football.”
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued its first directive in the high-profile dispute between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). The apex court instructed the AIFF to initiate a transparent tender process for commercial rights from the 2025-26 season, covering both the Indian Super League (ISL) and the Super Cup. The move is intended to ensure that the domestic calendar begins smoothly and without delay.
In order to oversee the tendering process, the court appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao, who will also be authorised to bring in professionals to assist him.
Importantly, the Supreme Court praised FSDL’s role in relinquishing its commercial rights, describing the company’s collaborative stance as a “significant step in the evolution of Indian football.” According to the court, this gesture marked a new chapter in institutionalising both domestic and international football events in the country.
However, the interim order did not make mention of the AIFF elections or the long-awaited revised Constitution. A ruling on those aspects is expected later this week or early next week.
For now, though, Satyanarayan’s message was clear: the Federation sees the order as a positive milestone for Indian football’s governance and future.