Despite the progress on the commercial front, a verdict on the AIFF’s constitution remains pending. The Supreme Court had previously reserved its decision to check if the 2023 draft constitution was in line with the National Sports Governance Act of 2025. The delay in a constitutional verdict has indirectly placed the entire 2025-26 season in a precarious position, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing developments.The Supreme Court on Tuesday released a formal order clearing the decks for Reliance-controlled Football Sports Development Limited to exit the field as the All India Football Federation’s commercial partner, and pave the way for the AIFF to invite bids for a new company to “to conduct Indian Super League”.
The order was passed based on an agreement previously reached between the AIFF and FSDL.
The order, passed by a bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, further said: “…We direct AIFF to take such measures as may be necessary for timely commencement of football calendar and to maintain competitive continuity for the 2025-2026 season with respect to the Super Cup and other competitions under its control.”
With regards to the ISL, the order reads: “The AIFF shall issue necessary tenders inviting bids for open, competitive and transparent process for selection of its commercial partner to conduct Indian Super League. For this purpose, we have requested and upon his agreement, appoint Justice L Nageswara Rao, former Judge of this court to ensure that the selection process enures in identifying a competent, reputed and an efficient firm as a commercial partner to conduct ISL, in line with global best practices.”
The bench also recorded the terms of agreement between the AIFF and the FSDL.
The AIFF has agreed to “conduct an open, competitive and transparent tender (or equivalent process) for selection of a commercial partner to conduct the ISL in line with global best practices” which will be “concluded by 15 October 2025…”
FSDL, for its part, has agreed to “waive its contractual Right of First Negotiation and Right to Match under the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) dated 08 December 2010 and issue a No Objection Certificate to AIFF for the conduct of an open, competitive and transparent tender…”
FSDL confirmed that it “shall not object to the exercise of rights in relation to the ISL by any new rights holder (if any) during the subsistence of the MRA.”
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said: “Players, staff and their families were having a difficult time after some clubs suspended salaries. This order is the first step to ending their worries and getting the season started.”
On the down side, a verdict on the AIFF’s constitution remains pending. The Supreme Court has reserved orders on a decision on whether the AIFF’s 2023 draft constitution was in line with the National Sports Governance Act of 2025. The delay in a constitutional verdict has indirectly placed the entire 2025-26 season in a precarious position.
It also bears noting that FIFA has set the AIFF a deadline of 30 October to secure a final verdict from the Supreme Court on the revised constitution, which should align with the mandatory provisions of the FIFA and AFC Statutes and regulations. AIFF is also required to ratify the constitution at its next general body meeting.
