The Supreme Court of India has approved a new constitution for the All India Football Federation (AIFF), marking a major step towards resolving years of administrative turmoil. The court directed the AIFF to hold a general body meeting within four weeks to officially adopt the new constitution, which was finalized with certain modifications.
The court's ruling also provided clarity on the AIFF's leadership. It recognized the election of the current office bearers, led by President Kalyan Chaubey, as legitimate. The court stated that fresh elections were not required and that the current executive committee could see out its full tenure until the scheduled polls in 2026. This decision prevents further disruption and allows the current administration to continue its work without the pressure of an immediate election.
A key part of the new constitution is the inclusion of "eminent players" in the decision-making process. The court ruled that 15 eminent football players, including five women, will be part of the AIFF's general body and will have voting rights. The court also set new eligibility criteria for office bearers, barring ministers and government servants from holding posts. Additionally, an age cap of 70 years has been imposed.
The Supreme Court's decision comes at a critical time, as world football body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had threatened to suspend the AIFF if it failed to ratify its constitution by October 30. The AIFF had also been dealing with an ongoing crisis concerning its commercial rights and the future of the Indian Super League (ISL). The court had recently lifted an embargo on the AIFF, allowing it to issue tenders for a new commercial partner for the ISL.
With the new constitution, the Supreme Court expressed hope that it would mark "a new beginning of Indian football and take the sport to greater heights." The court's judgment also emphasized the importance of sport in fostering togetherness, stating that sports serve as the unit of fraternity that brings people from diverse backgrounds, together.