Indian Football's Future Takes Shape: Supreme Court's Mandate and AIFF's Constitutional Overhaul

Indian football stands at a pivotal juncture as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) takes decisive steps towards modernizing its governance structure. In a significant move, the AIFF’s general body recently convened and approved a revised draft of its constitution, bringing it closer to compliance with a strict mandate from the Supreme Court of India.

The apex court has set a firm deadline of September 19, 2025, for the federation to finalize and implement these crucial constitutional amendments, signaling a new era of transparency and accountability for the sport in the country.

This landmark decision by the general body involves incorporating the draft constitution initially prepared by a committee led by former Supreme Court judge L.

Nageswara Rao. While the essence of the original draft remains, the AIFF has made "minor changes" to align the document more closely with the National Sports Code, as confirmed by AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran. This meticulous approach ensures that the federation's foundational document adheres to both judicial directives and national sports governance standards.

Following its approval by the general body, the revised constitution has been forwarded to the Sports Ministry and FIFA for their respective reviews and endorsements, a standard procedure that underscores the collaborative efforts required for such significant reforms.

Crucially, the approval of this new constitution clarifies the timeline for the next AIFF elections.

As per the existing constitution, the next general elections are scheduled for December 31, 2026. This date aligns seamlessly with the four-year term stipulated in the draft constitution crafted by the Supreme Court-appointed committee, which was originally intended for the 2022 elections. The current executive committee, elected in September 2022, will thus see its term conclude as planned, paving the way for a fresh leadership through a democratically conducted electoral process under the new constitutional framework.

The journey towards this constitutional overhaul has been fraught with challenges.

The Supreme Court's intervention became necessary due to protracted delays in conducting AIFF elections and the urgent need for a new, robust constitution. This period of uncertainty reached a critical point in 2022 when FIFA, the global governing body for football, temporarily suspended the AIFF due to "third-party influence" – a direct consequence of the administrative impasse.

The suspension was eventually lifted, but it served as a stark reminder of the importance of sound governance and adherence to constitutional principles.

The successful adoption of the draft constitution by the AIFF general body marks a significant milestone in Indian football's administrative journey.

It not only demonstrates the federation's commitment to judicial directives and international standards but also lays a strong foundation for a more stable, transparent, and professionally run organization. As the AIFF looks ahead to the September 2025 deadline and the 2026 elections, this constitutional reform promises to usher in an era of renewed focus on the development of football, ensuring a brighter and more structured future for the beautiful game across India.