How AIFF’s New ISL Framework Reshapes Indian Football Governance and Club Authority

The All India Football Federation has unveiled a proposed governance framework for the Indian Super League, marking a significant shift toward federation control over the competition. The framework introduces a two-tier governance structure designed to separate day-to-day operations from top-level oversight, with the AIFF retaining final authority on all major decisions affecting Indian football’s premier league.

The Two-Tier Structure

AIFF proposes establishing two distinct bodies to manage the ISL: a Governing Council serving as the highest authority and a Management Committee handling daily operations.

This structure aims to bring clarity following Football Sports Development Limited’s formal exit from the league, while ensuring the federation maintains regulatory oversight.

Governing Council: The Centre of Power

The Governing Council represents the highest decision-making authority within the proposed ISL structure. Its composition includes the AIFF President or Vice President (as Chairperson), AIFF Treasurer, one representative from each participating ISL club, three representatives from the Rights Partner/Broadcaster, and two Independent Members nominated by AIFF and clubs respectively.

The critical voting mechanism requires a simple majority with at least two affirmative votes from AIFF representatives. This provision ensures no major decision can pass without AIFF’s backing, effectively giving the federation veto power over all significant matters. The Governing Council approves seasonal plans, annual budgets, supervises the Management Committee, intervenes in governance failures, and holds the power to amend the governance charter itself.

Management Committee: Operational Control

The Management Committee comprises the AIFF Secretary General or Deputy Secretary General as Chairperson, AIFF Head of Competitions, AIFF Head of Strategy, five club representatives, and three Rights Partner representatives. Club representation includes representatives from the previous season’s top two clubs, three elected representatives, with rotation mechanisms preventing dominance.

Routine operational decisions including match operations, marketing, vendor selection, and budget-compliant spending require simple majority votes. High-value decisions such as contracts exceeding 1 crore rupees, agreements beyond three years, and broadcast rights require simple majority plus at least one AIFF affirmative vote. Revenue redistribution and major financial alterations demand a 75 percent super majority with at least two AIFF affirmative votes.

AIFF’s Reserved Powers

Regardless of governance bodies, AIFF retains exclusive, non-negotiable authority over ISL format and competition structure, number of clubs, league expansion or contraction, league rules and regulations, referees and match officials, discipline and anti-doping matters, and Laws of the Game. These powers remain beyond the scope of club or commercial partner influence.

Financial Framework and Oversight

The annual ISL budget must receive approval at least three months before the season commences. All spending must remain strictly within the approved framework, with major deviations requiring formal authorization. This centralised financial system prioritizes control and compliance over commercial flexibility. The Management Committee meets monthly, while the Governing Council convenes at least annually before season commencement, with quorum rules mandating AIFF, club, and Rights Partner presence.

Representation and Relegation Implications

Club representatives automatically lose governance positions if their club is relegated from the ISL, directly linking on-field performance to off-field influence. This provision creates accountability through competitive standing. While clubs have participation in both governance bodies, their practical influence remains constrained by mandatory AIFF voting requirements.

Advantages and Concerns

The proposal brings clarity and structure following prolonged uncertainty, aligns AIFF with FIFA and AFC governance norms, prevents unchecked commercial control, and ensures strong regulatory oversight with rotational club representation reducing power concentration. However, critics highlight heavy centralization of power with AIFF, clubs’ limited practical decision-making power despite participation, difficulty implementing revenue redistribution without federation backing, reduced commercial flexibility compared to earlier ISL seasons, potential bureaucratic delays affecting league growth, and implementation risks despite theoretical independence.

Important Clarification

This governance framework represents a proposal rather than final policy. The AIFF shared it with the 14 participating clubs at their first meeting but indicated potential modifications before formal adoption. The eventual effectiveness will depend less on the structure itself and more on transparent, flexible implementation by the federation.

The ISL 2025-26 season will run from February 14 to May 17, with 91 matches largely as double-headers on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM kickoff times.

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