AIFF Constitution case mentioned in the Supreme Court; next hearing on August 22

Court takes note of the Sports Bill, Amici flag unpaid players and MRA clock

After the All India Football Federation (AIFF) backed away from its plan to mention the draft-constitution issue on August 18, the matter still reached the honourable Supreme Court on Monday.

Amici Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Samar Bansal placed it before the Bench of Justices P. S. Narasimha and Atul Chandurkar.

The Supreme Court has indicated it wants to hear all sides on the National Sports Governance Bill, noting that the Bill was considered while finalising the AIFF’s new constitution. The Court has listed the case for August 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM, following its reservation of the order in April 2025.

BREAKING: Supreme Court on AIFF Draft Constitution case @KhelNow “The decision is ready, but we must consider the new National Sports Bill. A date will be given soon (Likely Friday, 2 PM).”#IndianFootball — Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) August 18, 2025

What happened in the Supreme Court on August 18?

Proceedings opened with Justice Narasimha informing parties that the judgment is in its final stages of writing. Senior Counsel Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the AIFF, apprised the Court of the National Sports Bill passed by Parliament last week, adding that it is likely to be notified within a week.

Justice Narasimha responded that the Court had already examined the Bill and made corresponding changes to the draft constitution, and now wished to hear the views of all parties.

The Amici flagged the immediate, ground-level impact: players have not been paid for a month in some cases, and there is no league football amid uncertainty, with the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and FSDL set to expire on 8 December 2025.

Justice Narasimha stated that the Court would pronounce its decision before December 8. The Amicus pressed for urgency, citing the league’s operational timeline.

Because the Indian Super League (ISL) typically runs from September to April, an MRA that lapses mid-season makes it impractical for FSDL to lock sponsors and broadcasters for a whole campaign when their rights to organise the league via MRA expire on 8 December 2025.

“FSDL is using the Court’s last order not to fulfil their contractual commitment,” Amicus Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted, adding that he also recommends not allowing AIFF and FSDL to negotiate a new MRA in the last hearing. “The Court should ask AIFF to ensure FSDL fulfils the current agreement or terminate the contract if they can’t.”

Senior Advocate Ritin Rai, representing FSDL, sought to reply but was not heard due to a lack of time.

Recognising the urgency, the Bench scheduled the next hearing for 22 August 2025 at 2:00 p.m. and stated that notices would be issued accordingly.

Trust broken between AIFF & ISL clubs

AIFF and FSDL in meeting with ISL club CEO on August 7 in New Delhi. Credits: AIFF Media

Last week, the AIFF president, Kalyan Chaubey, informed clubs that the federation would assist in presenting the matter to the Court. A formal letter assured a mention, followed by an email from AIFF’s counsel to all parties on Sunday afternoon. Hence, by 9 PM Sunday, the federation informed stakeholders it would not raise the issue.

“AIFF president has been giving media interviews about helping ISL clubs, and after putting it in writing that they would mention the case in the Supreme Court, how can AIFF backtrack like this? No one can trust the AIFF president’s words now,” a source close to the development told Khel Now last night.

The sudden U-turn has deepened mistrust. Pre-seasons are stalled, payments are blocked, and clubs are unsure whether a new ISL campaign will kick off at all. Players remain unpaid, staff face uncertainty, and the livelihoods of over 5,000 people tied to the ecosystem are at risk.

AIFF has cited the impending National Sports Bill—and the need to align governance with it as the reason for stepping back from Monday’s mention.

Meanwhile, the global players’ union FIFPRO have written to FIFA, calling the situation “alarming,” highlighting reports of contracts being suspended until further notice, and urging football’s world body to help stabilise the league and safeguard players’ rights.

What exactly happened in the Supreme Court today? Amicus Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Samar Bansal mentioned the AIFF matter before a Bench of Justices P. S. Narasimha and Atul Chandurkar. The Bench listed the case for August 22 at 2 PM and said it wants to hear all parties on the National Sports Bill. Why is the National Sports Bill relevant here? The Court indicated it considered the Bill while shaping the AIFF constitution. Before finalising its judgment, it wants party feedback on how the new law may affect governance and compliance. What did the Amicus say about the ISL situation? The Amicus flagged immediate hardship—players unpaid in some cases and no league football—while noting the MRA between AIFF and FSDL expires on December 8, 2025, which complicates a full-season rollout. Did the Court give any timeline assurance? Yes. Justice Narasimha said the Court intends to pronounce its decision before December 8, 2025, but the Amicus pressed for urgency given the season calendar. What position did AIFF place on record? AIFF’s counsel informed the Court that Parliament passed the National Sports Bill last week and it is likely to be notified soon; AIFF will also file a separate affidavit on the Bill’s implications. Was FSDL heard? FSDL’s counsel sought to respond but the Bench moved to list the matter for August 22. Submissions from all sides are expected at the next hearing. How does the MRA expiry affect the 2025–26 ISL season? The ISL typically runs from September to April. With rights expiring on December 8, it’s difficult to close season-long sponsorships and broadcast deals without clarity—hence the push for an early ruling. Why are clubs frustrated with AIFF? Clubs say AIFF had assured them it would mention the matter on August 18, then backtracked late Sunday. That U-turn, they argue, has deepened uncertainty over pre-seasons, payments, and planning.

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