AIFF Finally Set To Ban Dual Posts In Indian Football; Pushes Through Contentious Reform After SC Nudge

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has finally pushed through the one reform it had been dragging its feet on for years — the ban on dual posts.

And this time, it wasn’t optional. It came directly

from the Supreme Court.

Acting on the apex court’s October 15 directive, the AIFF on Monday formally adopted Article 25.3 (c) and (d) of its new constitution, which bars any executive committee member of the national body from simultaneously holding office in a state association.

In simple terms: no more double-seating, no more conflicts of interest.

There is, however, a twist.

This rule won’t affect the current AIFF leadership under president Kalyan Chaubey, who remains insulated until his term ends in September 2026.

In its statement, the AIFF said the constitution is now fully aligned with Supreme Court directions and the framework proposed by Justice (Retd) L. Nageswara Rao, who had been tasked years ago with cleaning up Indian football governance.

With this, a matter pending since 2017 has finally been put to rest.

The federation also made sure to thank “all stakeholders and contributors” for helping tie up the loose ends — a diplomatic nod to the long list of parties involved in a process that’s taken nearly a decade.

The adoption came via a virtual Special General Meeting (SGM).

This move also closes the chapter on a messy few months: the AIFF had already adopted most of the Supreme Court-approved constitution on October 12, but deliberately skipped Articles 23.3 and 25.3 (c) and (d), waiting for further clarity. That clarity arrived in the October 15 order.

This follows the court’s September 19 decision approving the draft constitution, with a few tweaks, and giving the AIFF four weeks to implement it. The two contentious clauses in particular had caused considerable discomfort for the federation’s hierarchy, which had to balance compliance with the Supreme Court, FIFA/AFC statutes, and its own leadership interests.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has also recognised the current AIFF executive committee, noting that with only a year left in its term when the matter came up, fresh elections made little practical sense.

(with PTI inputs)