New Delhi: World governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have told the All India Football Federation to get its constitution ratified by October 30 to avoid sanctions, including a suspension that would prevent the national teams and clubs from participating in international competitions apart from financial implications.
In a joint letter written with “profound concern” to president Kalyan Chaubey on Tuesday, FIFA and AFC pointed out the AIFF’s continued failure to finalise and implement the revised constitution, which is pending for approval in the Supreme Court sine 2017.
Over the years, FIFA had inquired about its status to AIFF only to be told repeatedly that the matter is subjudice.
“Despite repeated assurances, the absence of a clear and compliant governance framework has now created an untenable vacuum and legal uncertainties at the heart of Indian football,” the letter said.
Hence two days prior to the Supreme Court’s hearing on the matter, the AIFF has been told to “secure a definitive order” that approves the revised constitution aligning with FIFA and AFC statutes followed by approval from its general body by the deadline.
“Failure to adhere to this obligation may result in sanctions outlined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes, including the possibility of suspension,” Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA’s chief member associations and AFC’s deputy secretary general – member associations Vahid Kardany said in the letter.
“Furthermore, a member association may face consequences for third-party influence, even if it is not directly at fault…. A suspension of the AIFF would result in the loss of all of its rights as a FIFA and AFC member, as defined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes.”
The Supreme Court wasn’t intimated of the prior reminders by the AIFF but this time it has been asked to present this letter and inform the Sports ministry as well.
“The AIFF must regard this communication as binding and requiring immediate compliance in order to safeguard its rights as a member of FIFA and the AFC,” it is written in the letter.
The AIFF has also been reminded to satisfy its “obligation to manage its affairs independently and without any undue third-party influence, including government bodies…”
Suspension in 2016
India was suspended on August 16, 2022 for failure to adhere to these statutes and due to third-paty influence after a Supreme Court appointed committee of administrators was put in place to run the AIFF.
The basn was lifted 10 days later once the Court dissolved the committee and AIFF elections were held on September 2, 2022, when Chaubey defeated Bhaichung Bhutia to become the elected president.
On August 22, 2025, the Supreme Court said that its judgement is ready and needs minor incorporations of relevant portions from the National Sports Governance Act. FIFA said that the new constitution should be aligned with both Act.
FIFA said that this prolonged impasse has led to a “governance and operational crisis”, leading to the 2025-25 Indian Super League being indefinitely postponed, leading to clubs suspending first-team operations and suspending contracts of players and staff.
“Clubs and players remain uncertain regarding the domestic competition calendar; commercial partnerships beyond December 2025 remain unconfirmed; and essential functions relating to development, competitions, and marketing are increasingly compromised,” it said.
“The resulting lack of financial stability has had a profoundly negative impact on India’s football ecosystem, particularly affecting footballers employed by clubs participating in the Indian Super League (ISL), which is organised under the auspices of the AIFF.”
On August 12, world players union FIFPRO had raised concerns to FIFA over the situation in Indian football. After two weeks, FIFA sent the letter a day after the AIFF and its commercial partners (FSDL) discussed plans to organise the 2025-26 ISL that it will present to the Court on Thursday.