The Supreme Court on Friday delivered its much-awaited judgment on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) draft constitution case, bringing clarity to a long-running matter that has stalled Indian football administration for years.
A bench comprising Justice Sri Narasimha and Justice AS Chandurkar ruled that there will be no fresh elections for the federation. The current Executive Committee, led by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, has been allowed to complete its tenure, with new elections scheduled to take place next year as planned.
This decision removes the immediate risk of a FIFA ban, which loomed large if the court had ordered new elections. FIFA has repeatedly warned against what it perceives as third-party intervention in national federations.
AIFF Secretary General M Satyanarayan welcomed the judgment, saying: “It’s a great day for Indian football. I think the winner is Indian football. We are very happy and we thank the Supreme Court for having given us this constitution.” He added, “The Supreme Court’s decision provides much-needed clarity and stability. Now we can focus on governance reforms and development on the ground rather than being stuck in litigation.
“Our priority is to ensure transparency, strengthen state associations, and work in alignment with FIFA and AFC guidelines. The draft constitution is a roadmap for Indian football’s future, and we are committed to implementing it in letter and spirit.”
The AIFF draft constitution case has been ongoing since 2017 and has caused multiple delays in governance, including negotiations with its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). The Master Rights Agreement with FSDL, which runs the Indian Super League, is due to expire in December. With the legal clarity now in place, AIFF is expected to resume talks for a fresh deal.
The draft constitution, seen as a transformative document, is expected to bring structural changes, increase transparency, and address issues of conflict of interest across Indian football administration. FIFA has already set a deadline of October 30, 2025, for its finalisation.
Friday’s ruling is being seen as a major relief for Indian football. It clears key roadblocks and provides the AIFF with the stability needed to focus on running domestic competitions and preparing the national teams for crucial assignments ahead.
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: “Khalid Sir’s door is always open for anyone with a doubt” – Nikhil Prabhu