The Supreme Court emphasized India’s “excellent talent” in football, vowing to go the “extra mile” to finalize the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) draft constitution to secure the sport’s growth. Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi, during a hearing on Thursday, dismissed a FIFA letter demanding AIFF compliance by October 30, with senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan asserting that FIFA cannot dictate terms to India’s apex court. The court will hear further submissions on AIFF’s commercial partner selection for the Indian Super League (ISL) on September 1.
The AIFF faces a crisis over the non-renewal of its Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), stalling the 2025-26 ISL season. Eleven ISL clubs, including Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC, warned AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey that the deadlock threatens their survival, with some halting operations or suspending salaries. The clubs highlighted their decade-long investments in youth systems and infrastructure, now at risk, and noted that the ISL’s suspension could jeopardize India’s participation in AFC and FIFA tournaments, including the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
The court’s focus remains on the AIFF’s draft constitution, prepared by former Justice L. Nageswara Rao, which proposes reforms like a 12-year tenure limit, a 70-year age cap for office-bearers, and increased player representation in the executive committee. These changes aim to align with the National Sports Code while addressing objections from state associations. The court, which reserved its verdict on April 30, is ensuring the constitution aligns with the recently enacted National Sports Act.
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The AIFF reported conducting an “open, transparent” tender process for ISL’s commercial partner, but the MRA’s expiration in December 2025 complicates negotiations. The court’s intervention follows a 2022 FIFA ban on AIFF for third-party interference, lifted after elections. A fresh suspension looms if the constitution isn’t ratified, risking India’s international football standing.
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