New Delhi: Indian football is set for a historic transformation as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) prepares to adopt a new Constitution at a Special General Meeting (SGM) on Sunday, a move that is expected to trigger mass resignations and reshape the sport’s governance structure across the country. The sweeping changes follow a Supreme Court ruling on September 19, which approved the revised draft Constitution prepared by Justice L. Nageswara Rao with certain modifications and directed the AIFF to adopt it within four weeks. The new framework, originally conceptualized by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) led by S.Y. Quraishi, is aimed at aligning Indian football governance with FIFA’s international standards by introducing accountability, term limits, and a clear separation of powers between national and state associations.
One clause in particular Article 25.3(c) has created significant turbulence within the federation. It bars officials from holding dual positions, stating that any person serving on the AIFF Executive Committee who also holds a post in a state association must relinquish one role. This means that out of 16 elected members on the current Executive Committee, around 12 will be forced to step down from either their national or state positions once the new charter comes into effect. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey remains unaffected, as he does not hold any state-level office.
The restriction was first proposed by the CoA, later removed, and then reinstated by the Supreme Court after reviewing appeals from multiple stakeholders. The court clarified that the rule ensures officials are not burdened by multiple roles and helps prevent conflicts of interest. The rule now applies in both directions if a national-level official takes up a state role, they automatically vacate their AIFF post.
Beyond this clause, the new Constitution introduces sweeping reforms designed to modernize the administration of Indian football. The AIFF Executive Committee will be reduced to 14 members, including a President, two Vice Presidents (one male and one female), one Treasurer, and ten members, five of whom must be eminent players, including two women. Officials will be restricted to a maximum tenure of 12 years, limited to two consecutive four-year terms. For the first time, a no-confidence motion mechanism will allow the removal of top office-bearers, including the President. The new Constitution also mandates that India’s top domestic league follow a promotion and relegation system, aligning with global football norms. Furthermore, the AIFF will now become the sole owner and operator of the top-tier league, ending private ownership models such as the one under Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which has managed the Indian Super League (ISL) since 2014.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has convened an Executive Committee meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the implications of these sweeping changes. Although the official agenda lists routine business matters, the meeting is expected to focus on how the federation will implement the new framework and handle the wave of resignations it could spark. With these reforms, Indian football stands on the brink of a new era—one defined by transparency, professionalism, and accountability across both national and state structures.
