'Vacuum' in Indian football: AIFF faces second suspension threat from FIFA, AFC

New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been issued a stern warning by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to ratify its revised constitution by October 30, 2025, or face suspension from international football. This ultimatum, conveyed in a joint letter addressed to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, reflects “profound concern” over the prolonged delay in finalising the federation’s governance structure.

The revised constitution has been under consideration since 2017 before the Supreme Court of India, and despite multiple assurances, the necessary approvals and ratification remain pending. According to the letter, the absence of a clearly defined and compliant governance framework has generated a “vacuum” and legal uncertainties at the heart of Indian football.

FIFA and AFC demand three critical steps from the AIFF to avert suspension: securing Supreme Court approval for the new constitution, ensuring full alignment with FIFA and AFC statutes, and obtaining formal ratification at the next AIFF general body meeting.

Failure to meet the October 30 deadline could lead FIFA and AFC to invoke sanctions, including suspension of India’s membership, barring national teams and clubs from participating in international events, and withdrawing access to development funds.

The letter highlights that this ongoing constitutional crisis has already precipitated operational challenges within Indian football, including uncertainty over the domestic competition calendar and the jeopardising of commercial partnerships beyond 2025. It also cites concerns from FIFPRO, the global players’ union, regarding the unilateral termination of players’ contracts by clubs amid the turmoil.

This is not the first time AIFF has faced such a crisis; a similar suspension occurred in August 2022 due to third-party interference when a Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators ran the federation.