Supreme Court Clears AIFF Constitution, No Netas, 70-Year Cap

New Delhi, September 21: Indian football was jolted into reality today. In a move that could reshape the sport’s future in the country, the Supreme Court has approved a new constitution for the All India Football Federation (AIFF), pulling politicians and bureaucrats out of its boardrooms and forcing long-overdue changes in how the game is run. At the same time, on the pitch, national coach Khalid Jamil has thrown open the door for under-23 players to fight their way into the senior squad ahead of next month’s Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore.

Two stories, one about governance and the other about talent, collided on the same day, and together, they point to an Indian football establishment trying to shed its baggage while searching for a future.

Court Cracks Down On Politics In Football

The top court’s order, reported by The Times of India and confirmed by India Today, brings down the curtain on decades of political interference in the AIFF. From now on, no “netas” or “babus” will be allowed to occupy seats of power in the federation. Add to that an age cap of 70 years for office-bearers, and the corridors of Football House in Delhi will look very different in the years ahead.

For too long, AIFF has been accused of being less about football and more about political networking. The 2022 suspension by FIFA for “third-party interference” had already embarrassed India on the global stage. This time, the court appears determined to avoid a repeat.

That doesn’t mean change will be immediate. The current executive committee, led by President Kalyan Chaube,y has been given the green light to finish its term, which runs till 2026. But the Court has asked the federation to convene a general body meeting within four weeks to adopt the constitution, with its latest modifications formally. “Hope this makes a real difference to Indian football,” the bench observed, according to Live Law.

ISL’s Future In Question

If the governance reforms were expected, the other directive from the court landed like a thunderbolt. The AIFF, it ruled, must be the sole operator of India’s top-tier football league. This effectively puts the Indian Super League (ISL) on notice. Since its inception, the ISL has been controlled by Football Sports Development Limited, a Reliance–Star joint venture, operating on a closed, franchise model.

The Supreme Court’s version of Indian football’s future looks very different. Under the new constitution, the top league must introduce a promotion and relegation system, something clubs in the I-League have demanded for year,s but ISL stakeholders have resisted. For fans who have long complained that Indian football is run like a private business rather than a competitive sport, this is vindication.

But here’s the reality unwinding the ISL’s franchise contracts will not be simple. Clubs have paid enormous sums to buy into the league, often mortgaging their futures on promises of stability. If AIFF is to wrest back control, it will need to renegotiate those deals, calm corporate nerves, and somehow keep broadcasters and sponsors on board. The risk of legal battles is very real. Still, for smaller clubs in states like Manipur, Kerala, and West Bengal, this ruling feels like a lifeline. For the first time in years, the door to the top tier is opening.

A National Coach Looks To Youth

Away from the courtrooms, Khalid Jamil was making headlines of his own. Speaking ahead of India’s October 9 qualifier against Singapore, he said players from the under-23 squad would be considered for the senior team. “If they’re good enough, they’re old enough,” was the underlying message.

It’s a refreshing shift. For too long, the Indian team has leaned on veterans, most notably Sunil Chhetri, whose retirement earlier this year left a gaping hole in the attack. The likes of Sandesh Jhingan and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu still bring experience, but the next generation has struggled to get a clear pathway. Jamil’s comments suggest that the door is finally being prised open.

Of course, this doesn’t mean wholesale change. The coach knows that a qualifier is no place to gamble recklessly. The most likely scenario is a handful of U-23 players being blooded gradually. But for young footballers across the country, it is a signal that the national team is no longer a closed club.

What It All Adds Up To

Put together, the two stories tell us something about where Indian football stands in 2025. On one side, the Supreme Court is forcing the AIFF to clean house, strip away the politics, and create a league system that actually rewards performance. On the other hand, the national coach is looking down the pipeline, asking who’s next, and how quickly can they be ready?

The challenges are daunting. Indian football has flirted with reform before, only to relapse into bureaucracy and infighting. FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation will also be watching closely; any hint of political meddling or administrative chaos could invite another suspension. And as for the ISL, its owners and franchise clubs are unlikely to accept reduced power and revenues without a fight.

But there’s also a sense that the timing is right. Chhetri’s retirement has left the men’s team in a period of transition. The women’s side is still searching for consistent international results. Domestic football is stuck between two leagues that confuse more than they inspire. If change doesn’t happen now, it may never happen.

For the fans, who have carried the weight of disappointment for years, today’s developments offer a rare glimpse of hope. A federation stripped of political baggage. A league that might finally reward merit. A national team where youngsters can dream of breaking through. It is, in many ways, the reset button Indian football has always needed.

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Prakash Nair

Senior Sports Journalist – Prakash@hindustanherald.in – Web

Sports reporter covering cricket, football, and Olympic disciplines, with on-ground event experience.

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Supreme Court Approves AIFF Constitution, Bans Netas & Sets 70-Year Cap