In line with Supreme Court order, AIFF prepares to draft fresh constitution

AIFF to adopt new constitution in October SGM, FIFA sets deadline.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will hold a Special General Body Meeting (SGM) on October 12 in New Delhi to adopt its new draft constitution in line with the Supreme Court’s directions. FIFA, world football’s governing body, has set October 30 as the deadline for adoption.

“The SGM has been called with a special agenda—to adopt the Constitution. There is no other business,” an AIFF official confirmed. On September 19, the Supreme Court approved the draft constitution prepared by former apex court judge L. Nageswara Rao, with certain modifications, and directed the AIFF to formally adopt it within four weeks.

The draft proposes several key reforms:

Term limits: A maximum of 12 years in office, with no more than two successive four-year terms.

Cooling-off rule: A four-year gap required after eight years as an office bearer.

Age cap: Members cannot continue after turning 70 years old.

Executive structure: A 14-member committee, including a president, two vice-presidents (one male, one female), a treasurer, and 10 others—of which five will be eminent players, including two women.

No-confidence provision: Office bearers, including the president, can be removed through a no-confidence motion, a clause missing in the current constitution.

The adoption of the draft will pave the way for a more democratic and transparent governance structure in Indian football.