Indian football federation faces FIFA ban threat once again: Report

Indian football is once again facing the prospect of suspension from FIFA, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in danger of being banned for the second time in three years. According to a report in The Times of India, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have jointly issued a stern warning to the AIFF, setting a deadline of 30 October to get its long-delayed constitution ratified.

In a letter sent to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey on Tuesday, FIFA and AFC expressed "profound concern" over the federation's failure to finalise and implement its revised constitution, a process that has been under consideration since proceedings before the Supreme Court of India in 2017. The letter warned that the absence of a compliant governance framework had created "an untenable vacuum and legal uncertainties at the heart of Indian football".

The communication, signed by FIFA's chief member associations officer Elkhan Mammadov and AFC deputy general secretary Vahid Kardany, directed the AIFF to secure a definitive Supreme Court order approving the revised constitution, ensure full alignment with FIFA and AFC statutes, and obtain ratification from its general body. The letter made it clear that failure to meet the deadline could result in suspension, which would mean India's national teams and clubs being barred from international competitions.

This latest threat comes just three years after India was suspended by FIFA on 16 August 2022 for "third-party influence" when a Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators was overseeing the federation. That ban was lifted ten days later after the committee's mandate was terminated and fresh elections were held, which saw Chaubey elected as president.

The matter of the AIFF constitution has remained unresolved since 2017, although the Supreme Court has said its judgment is "ready". The court, however, has deferred pronouncement in order to examine the implications of the recently enacted National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The case has been listed for hearing on 28 August.

The letter underlines the growing impatience of the global and continental bodies, noting that despite repeated assurances, the AIFF has failed to act decisively. It pointed out that the prolonged impasse has already precipitated a governance and operational crisis, with uncertainty surrounding the domestic calendar and commercial partnerships beyond 2025 yet to be finalised.

FIFA statutes make it mandatory for member associations to operate independently without third-party influence, including from government and judicial bodies. The letter reminded the AIFF of its obligation to comply, warning that sanctions under FIFA and AFC statutes could include suspension. "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 communication stated.

If suspended, India would once again lose all rights as a FIFA and AFC member, a development that could severely damage the progress of the sport in the country.