Acting on the Supreme Court’s directive, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday formally adopted the contentious clause in its new constitution that bars its office bearers from simultaneously holding posts in both the national body and state associations. The move follows the Supreme Court’s October 15 order directing the federation to enforce Articles 25.3 (c) and (d) within three weeks.
These clauses prohibit members of the AIFF’s executive committee from holding any office in state football associations. However, the ruling will not apply to the current AIFF administration led by president Kalyan Chaubey, whose term continues until September 2026.
In its statement, the AIFF said:
“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.”
With the adoption of these articles, the AIFF confirmed that its constitution is now aligned with the Supreme Court’s directions and the recommendations of former apex court judge Justice (Retd) L. Nageswara Rao, who had been appointed to restructure the federation’s governance framework.
The federation added that the adoption brings closure to a matter pending since 2017.
“The AIFF expresses its sincere appreciation and gratitude to all stakeholders and contributors whose time, effort, and cooperation were integral to the successful completion of this process. In alignment with the statutes of FIFA and the AFC, the AIFF remains committed to its mandate to develop, govern, and promote football across India,” the statement read.
The adoption took place during the AIFF’s virtual Special General Meeting (SGM).
Earlier, at the SGM on October 12, the federation had implemented the Supreme Court–approved constitution but had held back two contentious clauses — Article 23.3 and Articles 25.3(c) and (d) — stating that they were awaiting further direction from the apex court.
Previously, on September 19, the Supreme Court had approved the draft constitution prepared by Justice L. Nageswara Rao with certain modifications and instructed the AIFF to adopt it within four weeks. But two provisions in the draft — one requiring Supreme Court approval for constitutional amendments and the other restricting dual office-bearer roles — had triggered concerns within the federation’s leadership.
A bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi had also recognised the election of the current AIFF executive committee led by Chaubey, noting that there was “no point in holding a fresh poll” because the committee had only a year left in its tenure.
With the formal adoption of Article 25.3(c) and (d), a long-standing administrative hurdle for Indian football governance has finally been cleared.