SC clears draft AIFF Constitution, sets 4-week timeline

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday gave its approval to the draft constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with several modifications and directed the national body to adopt it within four weeks.

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The court described the move as "a new beginning for Indian football" with the potential to raise the sport to "greater heights." A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi instructed the AIFF to convene a special general body meeting to formally adopt the constitution, which had been prepared under the supervision of former apex court judge L. Nageswara Rao.

"We have approved the provisions of the constitution in the said terms. We direct the AIFF administration to call for a special general body meeting and adopt the draft constitution with the modifications in this judgment. This shall be done at the earliest, preferably within four weeks," the bench stated in its order.

The 78-page ruling authored by Justice Narasimha addressed 12 major issues, including membership rules, age restrictions, suspension criteria, conflict of interest, and the roles of state football associations. The court also ruled that the draft constitution would extend to state associations, rejecting their objections on this point.