FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have sent a warning to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), stating that a suspension could occur if its constitution isn’t formally approved by October 30.
In a letter dated August 26, FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov and AFC’s Deputy General Secretary Vahid Kardany expressed concerns over the lack of a proper governance structure, which has led to uncertainty in Indian football.
Can the AIFF be banned?
The letter outlines three essential points the AIFF must address by October 30, free from third-party influence:
- Acquire a definite order from the Supreme Court of India approving the updated AIFF Constitution.
- Ensure that the AIFF Constitution aligns fully with FIFA and AFC regulations.
- Secure formal approval of the AIFF Constitution during the next AIFF General Meeting.
Failure to comply may lead to sanctions, including possible suspension.
“A suspension would strip the AIFF of its rights as a FIFA and AFC member,” the letter stated.
A ban could hinder India’s chances in the AFC Asian Cup 2027, affecting upcoming qualifiers against Bangladesh and Hong Kong in late 2025 and early 2026.
AIFF Constitution timeline explained
The AIFF has been working on its constitution since 2017, with the final draft submitted to the Supreme Court in July 2022.
The Court assigned retired judge L. Nageswara Rao to finalize the constitution in May 2023, but a ruling is still awaited.
This lingering issue has led to complications between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the AIFF, failing to agree on a new Master Rights Agreement, which threatens the future of the Indian Super League (ISL).
“Clubs and players are uncertain about the competition calendar, and commercial partnerships beyond December 2025 are not confirmed,” the letter indicated.
The 2025-26 ISL season was put on hold on July 11, leading several clubs, like Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC, to temporarily halt operations.
Reports from FIFPRO suggest that several clubs are unilaterally terminating player contracts due to the ongoing situation, impacting players’ livelihoods.
Furthermore, India’s new National Sports Governance Act necessitates immediate alignment of the AIFF’s Constitution with both national laws and FIFA and AFC regulations.
The Supreme Court addressed the case on August 22, directing FSDL and AIFF to negotiate the league’s future until the next hearing on August 28.
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Following this, there were productive discussions between both parties in Bengaluru, with the next season expected to start in late October or early November. Plans for future seasons will be discussed after a final decision on the constitution.
Has India been banned before?
Yes, the AIFF faced a ban in 2022 due to third-party influences when a Committee of Administrators was appointed by the Supreme Court, removing Praful Patel as president.
This ban risked India’s hosting of the 2022 U-17 Women’s World Cup, but the suspension was lifted after Kalyan Chaubey was elected president shortly after the FIFA decision.
The next hearing regarding the AIFF constitution is scheduled for tomorrow (August 28).
Published on Aug 27, 2025