Uncertainty Looms: The Ongoing Crisis in Indian Football

Indian football is facing a significant period of instability, with major governance issues threatening the sport from the top down. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is once again under scrutiny from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) due to its failure to properly formalize and enact a new constitution. In a recent joint letter, the global and continental governing bodies expressed their deep concern, setting a strict deadline of October 30, 2025, for the AIFF to resolve the matter. Failure to comply could lead to serious repercussions, including a potential suspension that would bar all Indian national and club teams from international tournaments.

This is not the first time the AIFF has faced this issue. In August 2022, FIFA temporarily suspended India because of what it called “third-party interference,” a ban that was lifted within ten days. The current constitutional logjam is a long-standing issue that has been with the Indian Supreme Court since 2017. The court has a final judgment ready but has deferred it to ensure the new constitution aligns with the recently enacted National Sports Act of 2025. FIFA and the AFC have directed the AIFF to obtain a definitive Supreme Court ruling that approves the revised constitution and to get it formally ratified by its own general body before the deadline.

This administrative deadlock has directly contributed to a severe operational crisis within the Indian Super League (ISL), the country’s top professional football competition. The start of the upcoming season has been delayed indefinitely due to a crucial unresolved issue: the expiration of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the commercial entity that manages the league. The current agreement concludes on December 8, 2025. This uncertainty has created a precarious situation, with some clubs suspending their operations and players facing contract terminations and salary concerns. The international players’ union, FIFPRO, has even voiced its worries about the livelihoods of players in the ISL. The ongoing dispute has been taken up by the Supreme Court, which recently granted the AIFF and FSDL permission to negotiate and find a solution before the next hearing.

Source: African Publicity