India Risks Second FIFA Ban in Three Years Over Constitution Delay

India could face another suspension from world football, with FIFA warning that the country risks a ban for the second time in three years if it fails to implement a new football constitution by October 30.

According to a report by Punch, world governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have jointly written to All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey, expressing “profound concern” over the continued delay in finalising and adopting the constitution.

“Failure to meet this schedule will leave us with no alternative but to refer the matter to the relevant FIFA decision-making body for consideration and decision,” the letter stated, as seen by AFP.

“AIFF must regard this communication as binding and requiring immediate compliance to safeguard its rights as a member of FIFA and the AFC,” it added.

The AIFF constitution has been pending in India’s Supreme Court since 2017. A potential suspension would mean the Indian national teams and clubs being barred from all international football competitions.

This is not the first time India has faced FIFA sanctions. In August 2022, FIFA briefly suspended India over third-party interference after the Supreme Court appointed a committee of administrators to oversee the AIFF. The ban was lifted a few days later, allowing Kalyan Chaubey to be elected.

Meanwhile, India’s top-flight football league, the Indian Super League (ISL), is in turmoil. The league’s kickoff has been delayed due to a dispute between the AIFF and its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Limited. With their rights agreement ending on December 8 and yet to be renewed, thousands of players and staff now face uncertainty over their jobs.

The players’ union FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has also raised concerns with FIFA last week over the crisis in Indian football.