The Supreme Court on Friday approved the draft constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) prepared by former apex court judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao, with certain modifications, and directed the football governing body to adopt it within four weeks in a general body meeting.
A bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi also recognised the election of the current executive committee led by president Kalyan Chaubey, noting that there was no need for a fresh poll as only one year of its tenure remains.
The verdict comes after the court had on April 30 reserved its decision on finalising the AIFF constitution. The bench heard extensive arguments from senior advocates Ranjit Kumar, Rahul Mehra, and amicus curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan, along with objections raised by state football associations and former players.
The draft constitution, drawn up under the Supreme Court’s directions by Justice Rao, introduces significant reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in football governance:
- Term and Age Restrictions: Office bearers can serve a maximum of 12 years in their lifetime, with a limit of two successive four-year terms. A four-year cooling-off period will follow after eight years in office. Individuals above the age of 70 cannot hold office.
- Executive Committee Composition: The AIFF executive body will comprise 14 members — one president, two vice presidents (one male, one female), one treasurer, and 10 other members. Of these, five will be eminent players, including at least two women.
- No-Confidence Motion Provision: The draft introduces a mechanism for the removal of office bearers, including the president, through a no-confidence vote — a safeguard absent in the current constitution.
The Supreme Court noted that the draft constitution had been subject to several rounds of consultations, including clause-wise objections from stakeholders across Indian football. It emphasised that the reforms were essential for bringing AIFF’s governance structure in line with modern democratic and sporting standards.
With the court’s approval, the AIFF is now required to convene a general body meeting within four weeks to formally adopt the new constitution.
