New Delhi: The Supreme Court has mandated that India’s top-tier football league can no longer be owned or operated by private entities, granting sole ownership and operational responsibility to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Since 2014, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has run the Indian Super League (ISL). Under the new AIFF Constitution, approved by the Supreme Court on Friday, the federation will now oversee the league directly and implement a promotion and relegation system aligned with global football standards.
The court also approved modifications to the draft Constitution prepared by former Supreme Court judge L. Nageswara Rao, including reduced criteria for defining “eminent players” — five international matches for men and two for women. The AIFF executive committee will comprise 14 members, including a president, two vice presidents, a treasurer, and ten others, of whom five will be eminent players, including two women. Provisions for the removal of office bearers through a no-confidence motion have also been introduced.
The Supreme Court recognized the current AIFF executive committee, headed by president Kalyan Chaubey, and said fresh elections are unnecessary given the remaining one-year tenure. The AIFF has been directed to adopt the new Constitution within four weeks at a general body meeting.
Additionally, the court approved the process for AIFF to conduct open tenders for a new commercial partner and start the 2025-26 season of the top-tier league. The verdict aims to provide a structural foundation for Indian football, ensuring competitive, value-driven, and globally aligned growth for the sport.
