Supreme Court Clears Road for ISL: A Turning Point for Indian Football

Why in the News?

1. In September 2025, the Supreme Court of India paved the way for the commencement of the Indian Super League (ISL) after months of uncertainty.
2. The SC accepted a joint roadmap submitted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), ensuring the league begins later this year.
3. The decision also links directly to ongoing issues of governance reforms within Indian football, especially the new AIFF constitution and compliance with FIFA and AFC norms.

Key Highlights

1. Background of ISL Suspension
   2025. The AIFF had signed a 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with FSDL in 2010, granting commercial rights until December 2025.
   2026. With the agreement expiring mid-season, FSDL suspended ISL operations in July 2025.
   2027. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, was reviewing AIFF’s governance issues, further delaying negotiations.
2. Supreme Court’s Intervention
   1. In April 2025, SC ordered AIFF and FSDL not to take final decisions until its judgment on AIFF’s new constitution.
   2. Later, the Court asked both parties to find a “workable arrangement.”
   3. On September 1, SC approved the roadmap, calling it a “significant step in the evolution of Indian football.”
3. All India Football Federation (AIFF)
   1. Established in 1937, AIFF is the governing body of football in India and is affiliated with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
   2. It is headquartered in Dwarka, New Delhi, and recognized as a National Sports Federation (NSF) by the Government of India.
   3. AIFF is responsible for organising national-level tournaments, including the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, Santosh Trophy, and various youth leagues.
   4. It governs the Indian men’s and women’s national teams, handling their participation in international competitions like the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, AFC Asian Cup, and SAFF Championships.
   5. In 2010, AIFF signed a 15-year Master Rights Agreement with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) for commercial and broadcasting rights.
   6. It faced a major crisis in 2022 when FIFA suspended AIFF citing “third-party interference” after the Supreme Court appointed a Committee of Administrators; the ban was later lifted once elections were held.
   7. AIFF is currently undergoing governance reforms to align its constitution with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and the National Sports Code.
4. Proposals by AIFF and FSDL
   1. ISL season to begin with the Super Cup in October, followed by the league in December.
   2. An open and transparent tender will be floated to select a new commercial partner.
   3. FSDL agreed to waive its “Right of First Negotiation” and “Right to Match,” ensuring competitive bidding.
   4. Payment commitments: cleared ₹12.5 crore dues for July–September and offered to advance the October–December tranche.
5. FIFA and AFC Oversight
   2025. FIFA and AFC have mandated that AIFF adopt its new constitution by October 30, 2025.
   2026. In 2022, FIFA suspended AIFF for third-party interference when SC appointed a Committee of Administrators (CoA).
   2027. A repeat suspension is unlikely since AIFF now has an elected body and SC is finalizing the constitution.
6. National Sports Governance Act, 2025
   1. Provides statutory recognition to sports bodies and brings all federations, including the BCCI, under its ambit.
   2. Establishes a National Sports Board as the regulatory authority with powers to recognise/derecognise federations and enforce ethical standards.
   3. Creates a National Sports Tribunal to resolve disputes efficiently, with appeals permitted only at the Supreme Court level.
   4. Mandates transparency by bringing sports bodies under the RTI Act, requiring audits, disclosures, and safe-sport policies.
   5. Ensures inclusivity by mandating athlete representation and a minimum number of women in executive committees.
   6. Enforces age and tenure limits, along with cooling-off periods, to prevent concentration of power.
   7. Allows only recognised federations to receive government funding and represent India internationally, aligning governance provisions with Olympic/Paralympic charters and anti-doping norms.
   8. The new AIFF constitution must align with this Act, passed in Parliament but yet to be notified.
   9. SC initially waited for the Act’s notification but has now decided not to delay its judgment further, given possible long bureaucratic timelines.

Implications

1. For Indian Football Governance
   1. Strengthens institutional accountability within AIFF.
   2. Aligns AIFF constitution with global sports governance standards.
2. For Clubs and Players
   1. Financial clarity through commercial partnerships and broadcast deals.
   2. Stability in league scheduling ensures career security for players.
3. For Indian Sports Ecosystem
   1. A transparent tender system could bring in new investors, boosting football infrastructure.
   2. Sets a precedent for governance reforms in other sports bodies.
4. For International Standing
   1. Compliance with FIFA/AFC safeguards India from suspensions.
   2. Enhances India’s credibility in global football governance.
5. For Legal and Policy Framework
   1. Connects sports governance reforms with judicial oversight.
   2. Tests the practical implementation of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s order has rescued Indian football from a period of uncertainty by ensuring the ISL goes ahead with institutional reforms in place. While the collaboration between AIFF and FSDL marks a step toward professional governance, the real test lies in timely implementation of the new constitution and alignment with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. This moment is not just about restarting a football league but about strengthening the foundations of sports governance in India.