The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is preparing to present its new constitution at a Special General Body Meeting (SGM) scheduled for October 12. This move comes in response to a strict deadline set by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), requiring the AIFF to ratify the new constitution by October 30 or face potential suspension from international football.
The Supreme Court has already approved the draft constitution with some modifications and directed the AIFF to adopt the revised document formally. This ruling brings much-needed stability to the AIFF, which has been under scrutiny from global football bodies due to delays in constitutional reforms. The court has also recognized the current executive committee, led by president Kalyan Chaubey, confirming that no fresh elections are required until 2026. This decision averts administrative uncertainty that could disrupt the federation's functioning.
The drafting process for the AIFF constitution began in 2017 and has undergone multiple revisions and consultations. The final draft was submitted to the Supreme Court in July 2022, and the recent ruling marks the end of a prolonged period of legal and administrative challenges. The Court's approval and the direction to convene a general body meeting within four weeks places the responsibility on the AIFF to ratify the new constitution in a timely manner.
The new constitution aims to bring fairness, transparency, and accountability to Indian football. Several key changes are proposed in the draft, including: * A person holding office for a maximum period of 12 years during their lifetime, subject to serving a maximum of two successive terms of four years each. * A cooling-off period of four years after eight years as an office bearer. * A person cannot remain a member of the sports body after attaining 70 years of age. * The executive committee will have 14 members, with representation for both genders and eminent players. At least five of the members will be eminent players, including two women. * Provisions for the removal of office bearers, including the president, through a no-confidence motion. * All Executive Committee members of the AIFF will be treated as office-bearers, not just the president, secretary, and treasurer. * Disqualification criteria, including criminal charges and convictions. An AIFF office-bearer would be disqualified if convicted and sentenced for more than two years. * The inclusion of 15 eminent footballers with voting rights. * Exclusion of public servants and MPs/MLAs from AIFF's office bearer roles. * The inclusion of three vice presidents, one of whom must be a woman.
The Supreme Court has also mandated the AIFF to take sole ownership of the top-tier league, meaning that the Indian Super League (ISL) can no longer be owned or operated by private players. The "Seniormost Top Division League” will be fully owned, operated, and recognised by AIFF, a clear move away from third-party league ownership. Promotion and relegation will also be a mandatory feature of the league, aligning it with global football structures.
The adoption of the new constitution is expected to have a significant impact on the commercial structure of the top-tier league, potentially leading to the withdrawal of Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) from the upcoming tender. FSDL has been AIFF's commercial partner since 2010 and instrumental in creating the ISL but has consistently opposed promotion-relegation, favoring a franchise-style, closed league model.
The Supreme Court has expressed optimism that the new constitution will mark a new beginning for Indian football, taking the sport to greater heights. The court has emphasized the importance of channeling the country's sporting talent efficiently, from village fields to international platforms.
