Indian football is once again at a critical crossroads, with the sport’s global and regional governing bodies, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), issuing a stark ultimatum to the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The federation has been given until October 30 to finalize and adopt a new constitution or face the severe consequence of a fresh suspension from international football.
In a joint letter sent to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, FIFA and the AFC expressed “profound concern” over the federation’s prolonged failure to finalize a constitution that has been awaiting approval from India’s Supreme Court since 2017. The letter was a clear warning, stating that failure to meet the deadline would force them to refer the matter to the appropriate FIFA decision-making body for consideration and a potential ban. A suspension would mean a complete halt to all international participation for both India’s national teams and its clubs.
This is not the first time the AIFF has faced such a crisis. In August 2022, FIFA temporarily suspended the federation for what it called “third-party influence” after the Supreme Court appointed a committee of administrators to oversee the AIFF. That ban was lifted just days later, which allowed for the elections that brought the current leadership, including President Chaubey, to power.
The warning from international bodies comes amid a separate and pressing crisis in India’s domestic football landscape. The Indian Super League (ISL) has been delayed following a dispute between the AIFF and its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited. The current rights agreement is set to expire on December 8 and has not been renewed, leaving the league’s future in serious doubt. The international players’ union, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania, has raised the matter with FIFA, highlighting the potential risk to thousands of jobs if the season does not get underway.
The combined pressures from international and domestic fronts present a complex challenge for the AIFF, which must now navigate a path that satisfies all stakeholders and secures the future of the sport in the country.
