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The AIFF aimed to inform the Supreme Court about the National Sports Governance Bill before discussing the ISL crisis.
AIFF president Shri Kalyan Chaubey (PTI)
On Monday, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) addressed criticism regarding its perceived inconsistency by clarifying that it initially aimed to inform the Supreme Court about the passage of the National Sports Governance Bill before discussing the Indian Super League (ISL) crisis.
On August 14, the AIFF stated that it would present this week before the Supreme Court the concerns of the ISL clubs about the delay in the start of the 2025-26 season and the difficulties faced by players and other stakeholders.
On Sunday afternoon, the AIFF announced it would bring up the matter before the Court on Monday at 10:30 am. However, by late evening, the federation revised its decision, stating it would not mention the issue on Monday.
Late Sunday night, Amicus Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan informed that he would mention the case along with fellow Amicus Curiae Samar Bansal on Monday at 10:30 am.
“Based on advice received that the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 had passed both the houses of Parliament, the AIFF’s Senior Counsel advised during a briefing meeting on Sunday late evening that this is the first aspect that needs to be brought to the attention of the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” the AIFF said in a statement.
“While a decision on the date of mentioning was being contemplated, the Amicus Curiae himself sent a communication stating that he would be mentioning the AIFF matter, and thus the hearing proceeded in Hon’ble Supreme Court this morning.”
The AIFF stated that their senior counsel appeared before the Supreme Court, which has reserved its judgment on the draft constitution case, and made oral submissions.
When Is Next Hearing At Sumpreme Court For AIFF?
The Hon’ble Supreme Court has requested written submissions from the parties before the next hearing on Friday, August 22.
“The Hon’ble Supreme Court has requested written submissions from the parties prior to the next hearing on Friday August 22.
“The AIFF intends to use this opportunity to represent to the Hon’ble Supreme Court the urgent need for commercial continuity and to determine the future structure of its top-tier league, in the interests of players, clubs and other parties all of whose livelihoods are at stake due to the current impasse.”
Hundreds of Indian and foreign footballers are uncertain as the Masters Rights Agreement (MRA) between Indian Super League organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and AIFF remains unrenewed.
Eleven ISL clubs have warned the AIFF of the real possibility of shutting down entirely if the impasse over the future of the top-tier domestic competition is not resolved promptly.
The clubs stated that the crisis from the non-renewal of the MRA has paralysed professional football in India.
The crisis emerged after FSDL placed the 2025-26 ISL season on hold on July 11 due to uncertainty over the MRA renewal, causing at least three clubs to either pause first-team operations or suspend player and staff salaries.
(With inputsfrom PTI)
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A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports
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