Explained: Why All India Football Federation faces FIFA ban threat once again

Indian football is once again in big danger as the country’s apex board may face suspension from FIFA. According to a recent report in The Tribune, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is at risk of being banned again by the global body amid the ongoing crisis that has put a hold on the 2025-26 season.

The main issue is the long delay in putting the new constitution of the AIFF into place. On top of that, the delay in starting the new football season has also upset both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). There is no confirmation on when these issues will be resolved.

“The delay in implementation of the constitution and complete shutdown of football operations is not helping anyone. As things stand today, I would not be surprised that FIFA takes a tough stance and suspends AIFF. They suspended them in 2022 for third party interference,” the official was quoted as saying.

Why FIFA may ban AIFF again?

FIFA is reportedly unhappy because of the delay in the implementation of the new constitution. The fight over the new constitution of the AIFF has been going on for years. To understand the issue, we have to go back to 2017.

The Delhi High Court had cancelled the AIFF elections that year because it was claimed that the polls violated the National Sports Code. The case then reached the Supreme Court, which in May 2022 removed Praful Patel as AIFF president and appointed a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA).

The CoA prepared a draft constitution, but many state associations raised objections. FIFA then banned India in 2022 over “third-party interference” just ahead of the U-17 Women’s World Cup. To save the tournament, the Supreme Court disbanded the CoA, and the constitution was left hanging.

The Supreme Court later circulated the CoA’s draft and asked for comments from all stakeholders. After collecting feedback, the Court gave retired judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao the responsibility to finalise the document in May 2023.

Justice Rao submitted his version, and in March 2025, the Supreme Court began hearing the matter. The hearings went on till July, and the judgment was reserved on July 18. On August 22, the Supreme Court said the judgment was “ready” but it would be pronounced later so that it matches with the newly passed National Sports Bill, 2025.

If AIFF gets suspended again, it will be a huge setback for Indian football. All Indian teams, both clubs and the national sides, will not be able to play in international tournaments. This includes the senior men’s team, who are set to play Singapore in the Asian Cup qualifiers, and the women’s team, who have already qualified for the 2026 Asian Cup. Clubs like FC Goa and Mohun Bagan Super Giants may also lose their chance to play in the Asian Champions League Two.