New Delhi: The All India Football Federation must launch a process instantly to begin the 2025-26 season as per its proposed calendar, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, after reviewing a resolution submitted to navigate through the contractual deadlock that brought the game to a standstill in the country.
As per the Court’s directive, the AIFF and FSDL had met to address immediate concerns relating to the 2025-26 season, while also arriving at a long-term solution for the Indian football eco-system.
On August 25 in Bengaluru, it was agreed that the current season would begin through Super Cup or another domestic competition directly under AIFF’s control, after an “adequate pre-season period”.
The AIFF would also float a tender for grant of commercial rights of the top-flight Indian Super League that would be concluded by October 15, following which the league could kick-off by December 2025.
FSDL agreed to waive off its rights to first negotiate and match any offer as per the 15-year master rights agreement signed in December 2010, apart from issuing a no objection certificate to achieve an “open, competitive and transparent tender”.
‘Collaborative effort’
The Court endorsed the proposed collaborative framework as “it ensures that no disruption is caused to the footballing ecosystem, that all stakeholders are given clarity, and that the governance of the sport proceeds in conformity with national and international norms”.
“Having gone through the proposal and after hearing all the stakeholders, we are of the view that the proposal takes into account the current situation and provisions for a plan of action. There is also a general agreement at the bar that the above proposal is compelling and necessary to ensure timely commencement of the football calendar and to maintain competitive continuity,” Justices P Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said.
“In view of the above, we direct AIFF to take such measures as may be necessary for timely commencement of football calendar and to maintain competitive continuity for the 2025-2026 season with respect to Super Cup and other competitions under its control.”
Retired judge, L Nageswara Rao was appointed to oversee the process of identifying an “efficient firm” as AIFF’s commercial partner to conduct ISL.
“Justice L. Nageswara Rao may also appoint one or two professionals to assist him in this regard,” the SC bench said.
Judgement reserved on constitution
The Court also said it will take note of all submissions and concerns about autonomy of the sitting AIFF committee before finalising a decision on the draft constitution.
Amici Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Samar Bansal have submitted the draft constitution after bringing it in line with the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025,
At its final hearing on the case that is running since 2017 on Monday, the Court said its judgement on the constitution is ready but is not pronounced over uncertainty of the Act coming into force.
World governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have set the AIFF a deadline of October 30 to ratify its new constitution in order to avoid sanctions.
“The Court has clearly instructed to prepare the tender. It’s a strong statement for all those who said that it’s an interim committee that doesn’t have the eligibility to float a tender for long-term commercial rights. The game can now go on, which is relief and a big win for Indian football,” an AIFF official told News9 Sports.