New Delhi: Surprised over the All India Football Federation’s unwillingness to appeal to the Supreme Court over a “legal uncertainty and administrative vacuum”, 11 of the 13 Indian Super League clubs, barring Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, are now preparing to independently approach the apex judicial body for relief.
At a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, which was attended by all the 13 clubs including virtual presence of Bagan and EB officials, the AIFF had been urged to seek relief once the Supreme Court had verbally prevented major decisions from being taken until final orders are passed.
But AIFF didn’t budge from its earlier stance of seeking legal opinion before making the move, with vice president NA Haris insisting that the Court has been requested to fastrack the verdict but nothing can be done beyond that.
“The decision lies with the Supreme Court, so we can’t do anything. We asked to get it fast, but it’s the Supreme Court’s decision,” he said in response to a News9 Sports query.
Instead the AIFF proposed a plan of hosting the Super Cup in September, ahead of the ISL, which left the clubs unimpressed and compelled them to write to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, who had attended the meeting yesterday.
“This legal uncertainty and administrative vacuum are now threatening to cause irreversible damage to the Indian football ecosystem. Club s are unable to plan or invest, commercial contracts are on hold, and the livelihoods of thousands of players, staff, support personnel, and stakeholders are at immediate risk. Moreover, this situation could seriously derail the momentum of football development in the country at a time when there is a national push towards sport and Olympic competitiveness,” the clubs wrote.
“In view of the above, we respectfully urge the AIFF, in its capacity as the statutory regulator of football in India and the principal party to the proceedings, to urgently bring the current situation to the attention of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. We are, in fact, somewhat surprised that the matter has not already been brought to the Court’s attention, given its gravity and implications for the sport.
“This may be done by: Mentioning the matter for urgent listing and judgment and apprising the Hon’ble Court of the current situation to ensure that the ISL and associated competitions may proceed.
We believe such a step is both legally permissible and in the interest of safeguarding Indian football, the AIFF’s own regulatory mandate, and the welfare of all stakeholders involved.”
Clubs offer legal support to AIFF
The clubs have also extended an offer of providing legal support should the AIFF ask for it, and said that they plan to approach the Court independently.
“However, given that the clubs are not formal parties to the current proceedings, this may not be the most efficient or effective route to resolve the situation. Accordingly, it is in the best interest of all concerned that the AIFF, as the main party and regulator, takes immediate initiative in this regard.
“Should the AIFF choose not to act, we reiterate that the ISL clubs will have no option but to seek judicial recourse independently, to protect the integrity of the League and the interests of the sport,” the clubs said.
The AIFF didn’t offer an immediate comment, neither did Bagan and EB say why they weren’t signatories on the letter.