India is staring at a possible suspension from world football for the second time in three years after FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warned the country to adopt a new football constitution by October 30, 2025, or face sanctions.
In a joint letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, FIFA and the AFC expressed “profound concern” over delays in finalizing reforms that have been pending before India’s Supreme Court since 2017. Failure to comply, they cautioned, would force FIFA’s disciplinary body to act.
A ban would block India’s national teams and clubs from international competitions and worsen the turmoil in domestic football. The Indian Super League (ISL) has already been stalled this season amid disputes between AIFF and its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited, whose rights deal expires in December with no renewal plan in sight leaving thousands of jobs in jeopardy.
India was last suspended in August 2022 for third-party interference when the Supreme Court appointed a committee of administrators to oversee AIFF. That ban was lifted days later, paving the way for Chaubey’s election.
The escalating crisis has also drawn in FIFPRO Asia/Oceania, which has raised alarm over player welfare and the long-term stability of Indian football.
