 "FIFA has threatened AIFF with a possible ban if it doesn't get its house in order. Image: PTI")
Indian football is once again staring at a possible FIFA ban as the global footballing body has sent a strongly-worded letter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for failing to implement a new constitution. FIFA has also reminded AIFF and its president, Kalyan Chaubey, that it’s obligated to manage its affairs independently and without interference from any third-party or government body.
For the unversed, the Indian footballing body AIFF was suspended by FIFA in 2022 after the Supreme Court handed the control of the federation to a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) following the ouster of former president Praful Patel. They face a similar threat once again amid the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL crisis at home and the qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in limbo.
FIFA sends ban treat to AIFF
The latest threat of a ban has been communicated to AIFF in a joint letter sent by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the _Times of Indi_a revealed. It has been signed by FIFA’s chief member associations officer Elkhan Mammadov and Vahid Kardany, who is the deputy general secretary, Member Associations, AFC.
The FIFA letter has set a deadline of 30 October for the AIFF to secure a final verdict from the Supreme Court on the revised constitution, which should align with the mandatory provisions of the FIFA and AFC Statutes and regulations. AIFF is also required to ratify the constitution at the next AIFF general body meeting.
“Failure to meet this schedule will leave us with no alternative but to refer the matter to the relevant FIFA decision-making body for consideration and decision,” the FIFA letter states, reported the Times of India.
FIFA-AFC added that the failure to get the constitution finalised by the 30 October deadline and AIFF’s failure to manage its affairs independently or align with FIFA’s provisions “may result in sanctions outlined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes, including the possibility of suspension.”
FIFA also asked the AIFF that the communication is binding and to safeguard its rights as a member of FIFA and AFC, the Indian federation must comply with the orders immediately.
“AIFF must regard this communication as binding and requiring immediate compliance in order to safeguard its rights as a member of FIFA and AFC,” the letter added.
SC says AIFF constitution verdict ‘ready’
Besides losing its rights as a member of FIFA and AFC, the Indian football team won’t be allowed to take part in AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers and other FIFA tournaments if AIFF is suspended.
The case of the revised AIFF constitution has been pending in the Supreme Court since 2017. On 22 August, the Supreme Court informed that the judgment in the AIFF case is “ready”, but they are keeping it on hold as the constitution needs to be in sync with the National Sports Governance Bill 2025.