Football: Major positive for Indian football as Supreme Court approves new draft constitution of AIFF
Key points from Supreme Court’s verdict on AIFF constitution
Due to an unresolved contractual issue between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its chief commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited, the 2025-26 Indian Super League season has been delayed with no definitive date set for its commencement.
However, Indian football fans have now been given a reason for optimism, with the Supreme Court having now approved a draft constitution that will allow the AIFF to resume running the league once all of the key requirements have been met.
In total, the Honourable bench of Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Joymalya Bagchi documented 121 points in the 78-page judgment passed and have set a timeline of four weeks for the AIFF to align itself under the new constitution.
The biggest talking point from the new constitution was around whether a fresh election would be held to replace executive committee members, to which the Court ruled against, meaning that current president Kalyan Chaubey will see out his term until 2026.
Additionally, it is now confirmed that promotion and relegation to and from the top flight will be maintained, meaning that the FDSL’s original plan for a “promotion only” basis was ruled against and is no longer under consideration.
Other notable points include that no individual who is over the age of 70 will be permitted to be elected as a Councillor and that KPMG has been selected as the company that will find the next commercial partner for the Indian Super League following the expiration of the current MRA.
Khalid Jamil urges ISL and AIFF to find solution around player commitments
While club football in India seems to be moving toward progress, national team head coach Khalid Jamil has now called upon the AIFF and the ISL to come up with a solution to balance players’ national and club commitments.
A couple of weeks ago, the head coach announced a list of 30 probables to attend the Blue Tigers’ training camp in Bengaluru for their upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers, but to this point, only 18 players have arrived. Jamil said in an interview with the media this week:
“Our preparations are always team-oriented, not dependent on individuals. Yet, the absence of players in some positions has naturally affected training. Some players will be joining in phases, and we are working to make the best of the available resources. In the long run, I believe it is important to work together to find a solution that balances club and national commitments.”
India currently sits on one point from their two matches in Group C of the Asian Cup Final Round Qualifiers, and will take on Singapore away on October 9 before returning home to face the same opponent five days later.
