The All India Football Federation (AIFF), the governing body of Indian football, is once again in the news over the risk of suspension from FIFA due to ‘third-party interference’. FIFA has set August 30 as the deadline for the AIFF to finalize and adopt its revised constitution, warning that failure to do so could result in suspension.

In a letter issued to the AIFF, FIFA reminded the federation of its obligation to function independently without any external influence, including government bodies.

Hearing in SC on August 28

A Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for August 28, where FIFA has directed the AIFF to secure a clear ruling approving its constitution. FIFA has also instructed the AIFF to ensure its constitution is fully aligned with the statutes and regulations of both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), with no exceptions allowed.

Letter from FIFA

The letter stated,”This prolonged impasse has precipitated a governance and operational crisis. Clubs and players remain uncertain regarding the domestic competition calendar; commercial partnerships beyond December 2025 remain unconfirmed; and essential functions relating to development, competitions, and marketing are increasingly compromised. The resulting lack of financial stability has had a profoundly negative impact on India’s football ecosystem, particularly affecting footballers employed by clubs participating in the Indian Super League (ISL), which is organized under the auspices of the AIFF.”

AIFF–FSDL Deadlock

Meanwhile, the ongoing standoff between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) has further delayed the release of the 2025–26 Indian Super League schedule. Both parties are scheduled to appear before the court tomorrow to resolve the issue.

FIFA Issues Stern Warning

The FIFA letter further warned, “Failure to adhere to this obligation may result in sanctions outlined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes, including the possibility of suspension. Furthermore, a member association may face consequences for third-party influence, even if it is not directly at fault (cf. Article 14 paragraph 3 of the FIFA Statutes and Article 10 paragraph 1 (t) and 2 of the AFC Statutes). A suspension of the AIFF would result in the loss of all of its rights as a FIFA and AFC member, as defined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes.”

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