AIFF awaits Supreme Court order as FIFA suspension threat looms over Indian football

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is hoping the Supreme Court on Thursday will help break the impasse that has brought Indian football to a standstill, with a threat of FIFA suspension looming. The world governing body and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) jointly sent a letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey on Tuesday expressing “profound concern” at the continued failure to finalise and implement the revised constitution, “a matter that has remained under consideration since proceedings before the Supreme Court of India in 2017.” Despite repeated assurances, the letter notes, “the absence of a clear and compliant governance framework has now created an untenable vacuum and legal uncertainties at the heart of Indian football.” FIFA has given AIFF a deadline of Oct 30 to secure a definitive order from the Supreme Court approving the revised AIFF constitution and then get it ratified by the general body. Failure to adhere to this schedule “may result in sanctions outlined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes, including the possibility of suspension.” AIFF has also been reminded of its “obligation to manage its affairs independently and without any undue third-party influence, including government bodies.” Should FIFA suspend India, it will be the second such ban in three years. The world body also suspended India on Aug 16, 2022, for third-party influence because a SC-appointed committee of administrators was running the federation. The ban was lifted 10 days later, paving the way for elections in which Kalyan Chaubey defeated former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia for the top post. Suspension means the national team will be barred from international tournaments — crucially the Asian Cup 2027 final-round qualifiers — while clubs like Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa will be scratched out midway into the group stages of the AFC Champions League Two, Asian football’s second-tier club competition. “At the last hearing in the Supreme Court, it was mentioned that the order (on the draft constitution) is ready, but it was not pronounced to ensure that it’s in sync with the recently-enacted National Sports Act. We are hoping it’s only a matter of time before the order is out,” said a senior official. Once the Supreme Court gives the order, the AIFF will ensure that it aligns with mandatory provisions of FIFA and AFC Statutes and regulations. According to sources, the federation is expected to convene a general body meeting to ratify the constitution on Oct 14, when India hosts Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 final-round qualifiers.AFC seeks factual report on ISL In a letter to AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan, AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John has sought a factual report on the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL), clarifying the status of commercial negotiations with its marketing partners, the timeline of Supreme Court ruling, impact on affected clubs and stakeholders, and concrete measures being taken to resume the league and safeguard stability. The AFC has said the indefinite suspension of India’s top league is “deeply concerning.”