AIFF All Set For Key Vote On Dual-Post Proposal After Majority Support

The All India Football Federation convened a Special General Body Meeting on November 24 to vote on a clause in its constitution prohibiting office bearers from holding dual posts in both the national body and state units.

This follows the Supreme Court’s October 15 order, which mandated the AIFF to adopt Articles 25.3 (c) and (d) within three weeks, preventing national body executive committee members from holding office in state associations.

However, the Supreme Court also permitted the current AIFF executive committee, led by Kalyan Chaubey, to remain in office until their term ends in September next year. An agenda item for the SGM reads: “Vote on adoption of Articles 25.3 (c) and 25.3 (d) of the AFIF Constitution by circulation, pursuant

to the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.”

It has been reported that a majority of state units opposed eliminating dual posts after the AIFF sought their approval by circulation, as per the SC directive. The AIFF requested state associations to email their approval for adopting Articles 25.3 (c) and 25.3 (d) by November 9 to comply with the SC order.

One state unit expressed concerns, stating that if AIFF executive members ceased to be office bearers of their respective member associations, they would lose direct contact with the grassroots of Indian football and be unable to effectively represent the challenges faced by member associations.

An official from a state association requested the AIFF to request the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision for the larger interest of Indian football.

This development suggests the AIFF may not have previously considered state associations’ views on the issue of dual posts. The SGM is being held amid turmoil in Indian football, with no bids received for the commercial rights of the Indian Super League, leading clubs like Mohun Bagan Super Giant to suspend first-team operations.

Top Indian players like Sandesh Jhingan and Sunil Chhetri have urged the AIFF to resolve the deadlock, as the livelihood of hundreds of footballers and support staff is at risk.

In a joint statement on Monday, Jhingan and Chhetri expressed their desperation due to the ongoing situation.

On October 12, the AIFF adopted the SC-approved constitution at its Special General Body Meeting but excluded Articles 23.3 and 25.3 (c) and (d) pending further directions from the Supreme Court.

The SC bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi directed the AIFF to adopt Articles 25.3 (c) and (d) within three weeks, stating these articles shall be retained but will come into effect after the current executive committee’s term ends.

The court clarified that these articles, like others, would be subject to the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and any subordinate legislation framed under it. The National Sports Governance Act is expected to come into force within two months.

The SC also rejected AIFF’s contention that prohibiting officials from holding dual posts would result in a lack of experienced personnel for the national federation and member associations.

(With PTI Inputs)