SUPREME COURT ORDERS AIFF TO HOLD ISL 2025-26, APPOINTS JUSTICE NAGESWARA RAO TO SUPERVISE COMMERCIAL PARTNER SELECTION:

The Supreme Court has accepted a proposal put forward by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner for the upcoming 2025–26 football season and directed the AIFF to take necessary measures to ensure the timely commencement of football competitions under its control. A bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi emphasized that the football calendar must proceed without disruption, with continuity maintained for the Super Cup and other national-level tournaments.

The Court’s intervention comes in the backdrop of uncertainties that arose following the enactment of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. Earlier, while examining a draft constitution for the AIFF, the Court had imposed an embargo restraining the Federation from entering into binding contracts until a final judgment was delivered. This embargo, coupled with the introduction of the new Act, led to apprehensions regarding the conduct of major tournaments, including the Indian Super League (ISL).

During the proceedings, it was brought to the Court’s notice that the AIFF and its long-standing commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), were unable to agree on the terms for organizing the ISL. As a result, the ISL, along with other tournaments, faced suspension, creating uncertainty for the upcoming season. Taking cognizance of this, the Court re-listed the matter and called upon both the AIFF and FSDL to propose a workable arrangement.

In response, a proposal was placed before the bench, which received broad consensus among the parties that commencement of the football calendar was essential to preserve the competitive structure of Indian football. Accepting this view, the Supreme Court ordered the AIFF to initiate the football season for 2025–26 in a timely manner. It further directed the Federation to issue tenders for selecting a commercial partner through an open, transparent, and competitive bidding process, in keeping with global best practices.

To ensure fairness and efficiency in this process, the Court appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao to oversee the tendering and selection of the commercial partner for conducting the ISL. Justice Rao’s role is to guarantee that a competent, reputed, and efficient firm is entrusted with the responsibility of managing the league, thereby safeguarding both the integrity and future of Indian football.

The bench also noted that the draft constitution of the AIFF, which had been examined earlier by the Court, appeared substantially aligned with the provisions of the newly enacted National Sports Governance Act. However, certain counsels expressed apprehensions regarding issues of autonomy and governance. In light of these concerns, the Court clarified that it would hear further submissions before finalizing its decision on the draft constitution.

By issuing these directions, the Supreme Court has sought to ensure that the ISL and other key football competitions are conducted without disruption, while also reinforcing the principles of transparency and accountability in the administration of Indian football.