While not mentioning the conduct of fresh elections, the Supreme Court has directed former judge, Justice L Nageswara Rao, to oversee the tender process for selecting the new commercial partner for the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The court’s order released on Monday — with a detailed judgment yet to be pronounced — paves the way for conducting the Indian Super League (ISL).
The new season of the top-tier competition was shrouded in uncertainty because of the impending expiry of the 15-year contract between the AIFF and its current partners, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), in December.
The AIFF and FSDL had put the 2025-26 season ‘on hold’ due to the uncertainty over the renewal of the agreement between the two parties. This led to three clubs either pausing their operations or suspending the salaries of the players and staff.
The Supreme Court said in its order: “… The AIFF shall also issue necessary tenders inviting bids for open, competitive and transparent process for selection of its commercial partner to conduct the 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 ensures in identifying a competent, reputed and efficient firm as a commercial partner to conduct the ISL, in line with global best practices.”
Following a meeting in Bengaluru, the AIFF and FSDL had presented a proposal to the apex court last week saying that the process to select the new commercial partner would be completed by mid-October, which would allow the ISL to get underway in December.
According to the proposal, FSDL will waive its contractual right of first negotiation and right to match as per the agreement dated December 8, 2010. It had also assured to issue a no- objection certificate to AIFF to conduct an open, competitive and transparent tender or equivalent process.
Further, it was proposed that the Super Cup would be held in September to get the domestic season — which has been in a limbo — underway.
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Senior counsels Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the AIFF, and FSDL’s Neeraj Kishan Kaul assured the Bench that both organisations would coordinate to ensure the timely commencement of the football calendar and ‘maintain competitive continuity’.
The Supreme Court also praised the FSDL for their ‘collaborative’ role.
“We have no hesitation in recording that their (FSDL’s) collaborative effort is a significant step in the evolution of Indian football. This shared commitment will go a long way in institutionalising domestic, national and international events,” the court noted.
The court, meanwhile, reserved its verdict on the issue of adopting a new constitution for the AIFF and approving the conduct of the ISL while making it clear that it is not going to hold back the verdict until the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, is formally notified.
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During the hearing on Monday, advocates Rahul Mehra, Menaka Guruswamy and Raghenth Basant raised concerns about the Act, including over autonomy, the lack of clarity over tenure limitations and the maximum age to contest elections.
“We will consider their submissions before finalising our decision on the draft constitution,” the court said.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
