AIFF Adopts Clause Prohibiting Dual Posts by Office-Bearers Following Supreme Court Directive

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has formally adopted a key clause of its revised constitution prohibiting office-bearers from holding dual posts in the national body and state units. This decision follows a directive from the Supreme Court of India and marks a significant step in aligning Indian football governance with international best practices.

Supreme Court Directive and Constitutional Compliance

The Supreme Court, in an order dated October 15, 2025, instructed the AIFF to adopt Article 25.3 (c) and (d) of its new constitution, which explicitly prohibits executive committee members of the national body from simultaneously holding office in a state association. Acting on this directive, AIFF completed the adoption process in a virtual Special General Meeting (SGM) held on Monday.

In a statement, the AIFF confirmed, “The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday formally adopted Article 25.3 (c) and (d) of the Constitution as directed by the Supreme Court (SC) of India, pursuant to its order dated October 15, 2025.”

The federation also clarified that this clause will not affect the current office-bearers, including president Kalyan Chaubey, whose tenure ends in September 2026. This exemption aligns with the Supreme Court’s earlier recognition of the legitimacy of the present executive committee.

What Article 25.3 (c) and (d) Entail

AIFF Executive Committee cannot concurrently hold a position in a state association. This move ensures a clear separation of powers between the national and state football bodies, preventing conflicts of interest and promoting transparent governance.

The adoption of these clauses is part of a broader set of reforms recommended by former apex court judge L. Nageswara Rao, whose draft constitution was approved by the Supreme Court on September 19, 2025 with certain modifications. These reforms have been aimed at professionalizing football administration in India, ensuring compliance with FIFA and AFC statutes, and fostering the development of the sport across the country.

Background and Previous Delays

The journey toward adopting these constitutional clauses has been long and complex. The AIFF had earlier adopted the Supreme Court-approved constitution at its Special General Body Meeting on October 12, but deliberately left out two contentious articles: 23.3 (requiring Supreme Court approval for amendments) and 25.3 (c) and (d) (prohibiting dual office-holding). This delay followed consultations with stakeholders and awaited final directions from the apex court.

The Supreme Court had emphasized the need for compliance with modern governance standards in line with international norms. Article 25.3 (c) and (d) was particularly contentious, as it required existing office-bearers to relinquish positions in state associations. However, given that the current AIFF dispensation led by Chaubey has only one year remaining in its tenure, the court allowed an exemption, avoiding the need for fresh elections.

Implications for AIFF and Indian Football

The adoption of this clause has several implications for Indian football:

Improved Governance: By preventing dual office-holding, the AIFF ensures greater transparency, accountability, and clear delineation of responsibilities between national and state-level football bodies.

Compliance With FIFA and AFC Statutes: International football governing bodies mandate non-conflicting roles for officials to avoid bias and maintain integrity in decision-making. AIFF’s move aligns India with these global standards.

Strengthened State Associations: By separating national and state roles, state associations can function more independently, focusing on grassroots development, talent scouting, and local league management without interference from national office-bearers.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: Dual roles have often been criticized for creating situations where officials might prioritize their state’s interests over national objectives. This reform curtails such conflicts.

Reactions from the Football Community

The decision has been largely welcomed by football administrators, analysts, and fans. Experts have noted that governance reforms are as crucial as on-field performance for the long-term growth of Indian football. The AIFF statement also thanked stakeholders for their cooperation, acknowledging the collective effort required to finalize this critical governance measure.

A senior official from the federation remarked, “With this adoption, a matter pending since 2017 stands conclusively resolved. The AIFF remains committed to its mandate to develop, govern, and promote football across India.”

What Next for AIFF

With the adoption of Article 25.3 (c) and (d), the AIFF has now fully aligned its constitution with Supreme Court directives, except for minor transitional provisions. The federation can now focus on:

Strengthening domestic competitions: Enhancing the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League structures to improve competitiveness and talent development.

Grassroots development: Encouraging youth academies, state-level programs, and nationwide talent identification.

International competitiveness: Ensuring Indian teams perform strongly in AFC competitions and other global tournaments.

The reform also sends a strong message to stakeholders, sponsors, and international football bodies that India is serious about clean, professional governance, which is critical for attracting investments and elevating the sport domestically.

Conclusion

The adoption of the clause prohibiting office-bearers from holding dual posts marks a milestone in Indian football governance. By complying with the Supreme Court’s directives, the AIFF has taken a decisive step toward greater transparency, professionalism, and alignment with international standards.

While the current office-bearers retain their positions until 2026, the reform sets a clear precedent for future administrations. As Indian football continues to grow, both domestically and internationally, measures like these ensure that governance keeps pace with ambitions, fostering trust and credibility within the sport.

AIFF’s proactive adoption of Article 25.3 (c) and (d) not only resolves a long-standing constitutional issue dating back to 2017 but also strengthens the framework for sustainable growth and development of football in India.

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