Football in India at Risk: FIFA Issues Strong Warning

New Delhi: India’s football faces another major crisis as FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have warned of suspension if reforms are not implemented in time.

In a joint letter to Kalyan Chaubey, president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), FIFA and AFC expressed concern over delays in adopting the new AIFF constitution. The constitution has been pending in India’s Supreme Court since 2017.

FIFA has now given a strict deadline of October 30 for compliance. Officials said failure to meet the deadline would force FIFA to take the matter to its decision-making body, which could suspend India. Such a suspension would bar India’s national teams and clubs from participating in international football.

This is not the first warning. In August 2022, FIFA suspended India briefly after a Supreme Court-appointed committee took control of the AIFF. The suspension was lifted once elections were held and Chaubey was elected president.

Meanwhile, Indian domestic football is also under stress. The Indian Super League (ISL), the country’s top-tier competition, has not started its season. A dispute between the AIFF and its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), has delayed the league. The rights agreement with FSDL expires on December 8, and no renewal has been signed, raising fears of a collapse.

If the ISL is cancelled, thousands of players, coaches, and staff could lose their livelihoods. FIFPRO Asia/Oceania, the players’ union, has already raised the issue with FIFA.