India face the threat of suspension from world football for the second time in three years after FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued a warning over the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) continued failure to finalise and implement a new constitution.
In a joint letter sent to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, the global and continental governing bodies expressed “profound concern” over the prolonged delay, stating that the constitution must be adopted by 30 October or the matter will be referred to FIFA’s decision-making body for disciplinary action.
“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 letter read. “AIFF must regard this communication as binding and requiring immediate compliance in order to safeguard its rights as a member of FIFA and the AFC.”
The AIFF’s draft constitution has been awaiting approval from India’s Supreme Court since 2017. A fresh suspension would result in India’s national teams and clubs being barred from all international competitions.
FIFA had previously suspended India in August 2022 due to third-party interference, after the Supreme Court appointed a committee to run the AIFF. That suspension was lifted within days, allowing Chaubey to be elected president.
The latest crisis comes amid mounting instability in Indian club football. The Indian Super League (ISL), the country’s top-tier competition, is facing an uncertain future due to a dispute between the AIFF and its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL).
This season’s ISL start has been delayed, with thousands of players and staff facing job losses. The agreement between AIFF and FSDL, which manages the league, expires on 8 December and has yet to be renewed. The AIFF has also failed to propose a concrete revival plan for the ISL, traditionally held from September to April.