India could face a fresh suspension from world football after FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to adopt a new constitution by October 30 or risk a ban.
In a joint letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, the two governing bodies expressed “profound concern” at the federation’s continued delay in finalising the constitution, which has been pending before India’s Supreme Court since 2017.
“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 stated. “AIFF must regard this communication as binding and requiring immediate compliance to safeguard its rights as a member of FIFA and the AFC.”
A suspension would prevent India’s national teams and clubs from taking part in international competitions.
Note that FIFA previously suspended India in August 2022 for third-party influence after the Supreme Court appointed a committee of administrators to oversee the AIFF. The ban was lifted days later, allowing elections that brought Chaubey to office.
Meanwhile, India’s domestic football structure faces further uncertainty. The Indian Super League (ISL) has been delayed following disputes between the AIFF and its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited. Their rights agreement ends on December 8 and has not yet been renewed, leaving the future of the league in doubt.
Players’ union FIFPRO Asia/Oceania last week raised the issue with FIFA, warning of the risk to thousands of jobs if the ISL season does not resume.
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