The Supreme Court has given the All India Football Federation (AIFF) the green light to operate under its new draft constitution, providing much-needed clarity and stability to Indian football. The court also confirmed that the current executive committee, led by President Kalyan Chaubey, can complete its tenure, with fresh elections scheduled for 2026.
The bench, comprising Justices Sri Narasimha and A.S. Chandurkar, directed AIFF to convene a general body meeting within four weeks to adopt the new constitution, incorporating a few court-suggested amendments. This marks a significant step forward after years of uncertainty, allowing AIFF to finalize governance reforms, commercial deals, and league operations.
AIFF Secretary General M. Satyanarayan welcomed the verdict, stating, “The winner is Indian football. 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 litigation.”
The court’s approval also paves the way for AIFF to resume negotiations with FSDL for a new Indian Super League (ISL) deal and ensures smooth conduct of domestic tournaments such as the Super Cup and ISL. It also gives India’s national teams the stability needed to prepare for upcoming international fixtures and build on recent performances, including the CAFA Nations Cup.
AIFF has been under Supreme Court supervision since 2017 when the apex court first mandated a new constitution. The draft submitted in 2023 by former Justice (Retd.) L. Nageswara Rao had been delayed, risking potential FIFA sanctions if not ratified by October 30. With the court’s approval, AIFF can now focus on governance, transparency, and grassroots development, strengthening Indian football from the ground up.
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