NextFin news, The Supreme Court of India on Friday, September 19, 2025, finalized the draft constitution for the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and ordered the federation to adopt it within four weeks by convening a general body meeting.
The court ruled out the need for immediate fresh elections, permitting the current AIFF executive committee to complete its term until the scheduled elections in 2026. This decision aims to stabilize governance within the AIFF and prevent disruption ahead of upcoming football events.
The Supreme Court also emphasized the continuation of the Indian Super League (ISL) under a transparent process for selecting a commercial partner. This process is intended to resolve issues related to the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) for the ISL.
This ruling addresses longstanding governance challenges within the AIFF and seeks to avert a potential suspension by FIFA, which had set a deadline of October 30, 2025, for the ratification of the new constitution. A suspension would have jeopardized the Indian national football team's participation in international tournaments.
The Supreme Court's judgment aligns the AIFF's governance framework with the National Sports Development Code 2011 and the recently enacted National Sports Governance Act 2025, ensuring compliance with updated sports governance standards in India.
The directive was issued during the court's scheduled hearing on Friday morning in New Delhi, reflecting the judiciary's active role in overseeing sports administration reforms in the country.
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