The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has formally adopted a new constitution, marking the conclusion of an eight-year-long legal and administrative saga involving the Supreme Court of India, FIFA, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The adoption, which includes the formal deletion of two contentious clauses, signifies a major step toward bringing the AIFF's governance in line with international and domestic legal mandates.
Compliance and Resolution
The central issue revolved around the AIFF's constitution, which has been under scrutiny since 2017. The federation’s governance structure and statutes needed to be brought into compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court of India and the framework recommended by Justice (Retd) L. Nageswara Rao. This sustained legal oversight finally saw a definitive resolution with the adoption of the new statutes.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey confirmed the development, stating, "The AIFF Constitution is now in accordance with the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and the framework recommended by Justice (Retd) L. Nageswara Rao. With this, a matter pending since 2017 stands conclusively resolved." He further added that the constitution was adopted by the AIFF on October 12, and that it "finally... fulfills all the requirements of the honourable Supreme Court, FIFA and the AFC."
Constitutional Amendments
The adoption was the outcome of a special general meeting held in New Delhi, where the most crucial decision was to formally delete the contentious Article 25.3 c and d. These articles pertained to a regulation that allowed certain individuals to hold multiple influential positions within Indian football administration.
The original clauses, which faced strong opposition, stipulated that an AIFF executive committee member shall "automatically be deemed to have vacated his/her position in the Member Association" and that "while being in the national federation, no member can be elected in a member association."
The deletion of these clauses was the primary objective of the reform process. The special general meeting saw a significant majority in favor of the adoption. Of the 27 members who attended, 24 voted in favor, with an official stating that the Indian Football Association and Goa Football Association have suggested a review of the Supreme Court and Football Association of Odisha sought time to discuss the matter internally. The overwhelming vote count demonstrates a broad consensus among the member associations to move forward with the necessary reforms.
State Associations' Reservations and Legal Context
While the adoption was largely successful, a number of state associations had objected to adopting the specific provisions of Article 25.3 c and d. President Chaubey addressed this by asserting that non-acceptance of a Supreme Court verdict could lead to severe consequences. This stern warning highlights the mandatory nature of the court's directions and the urgency of adherence.
A crucial factor in the timing of the AIFF's action is the deadline set by the Supreme Court. The court has stipulated that the clauses will not be implemented until September 2026. This temporary suspension grants the AIFF a grace period while reinforcing the finality of the constitutional change. Furthermore, the court has permitted the AIFF to amend its constitution without seeking its prior approval, an important administrative freedom that streamlines the governance process.
Final Take
The adoption of the new constitution is a monumental achievement for Indian football. It resolves a protracted legal battle that had often overshadowed the sport's development and administrative stability. By aligning its constitution with global governing bodies like FIFA and the AFC, and respecting the judicial directives of the Supreme Court, the AIFF has cleared the path for a more robust and compliant governance structure. This stability is essential for the growth and international standing of football in India, ensuring that administrative focus can now return entirely to the development of the game. The AIFF president also took a moment to express his gratitude, stating, "I would like to thank AIFF's member associations, the top court, FIFA and AFC for making this possible."
