AIFF adopts a constitution approved by the Supreme Court before the October 31 deadline, without two key clauses

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) adopted its constitution at a special general meeting without two clauses, a decision pending in the Supreme Court.

The apex court had approved the AIFF draft constitution – drafted by former judge L. Nageswara Rao with amendments – and directed the federation to adopt it within four weeks.

But two clauses in the constitution have put the AIFF leadership in serious discomfort.

What are the two clauses?

According to Article 23.3 of the draft constitution: “No such amendment shall come into force without the consent of the Supreme Court.”

This provision makes India vulnerable to FIFA flagging and banning a third party intervention – from the Supreme Court.

READ ALSO | Supreme Court Judgment on the AIFF Constitution – What are the Key Highlights in the Draft and Judgment?

The second clause: Clause (c) of Article 25.3 of the draft Articles of Association reads: “In the event that a person is elected as an office-bearer in the Executive Committee of the AIFF and holds office as an office-bearer in an affiliated association, he/she shall automatically be deemed to have resigned from his/her position in the affiliated association.”

Approval of this clause would mean that the majority of the AIFF Executive Committee would be forced to choose one office between the State Associations and the AIFF ExCo.

On the current 16-member Executive Committee, at least 12 members hold positions in state associations.

What happened during the meeting?

“The meeting was attended by members of the Executive Committee, 32 representatives of the member associations who were entitled to vote, two officials of FIFA and one of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation),” AIFF Deputy General Secretary M. Satyanarayan said. Sports star.

«We have clearly stated that two clauses of the Constitution were pending judgment of the Honorable Supreme Court, and we will follow all directions of the court. A total of 29 out of 32 members were in favor of adopting the Constitution.»

The approval comes at a time when FIFA and the AFC had threatened to ban India if the constitution was not approved and accepted by October 31.

What about the two clauses?

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice AS Chandurkar said on October 10 that it will have a word with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, who was part of the bench that approved the Constitution.

«We have already said that our judgment lies only in the interregnum until the law comes into play. These minor things could have been easily settled. Be that as it may, we will seek Justice Rao’s opinion and clarify,» the bench added.

The case is expected to be heard in court next week.

Published on October 12, 2025