AIFF is under jurisdiction of CoA: Supreme Court

BCCI reform formula on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) by substituting the Praful Patel-led executive committee with Committee of Administrators (CoA) led by former SC Judge AR Dave. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant, and PS Narasimha mandated the three member COA, also comprising former CEC S Y Qureshi and former India captain Bhaskar Ganguly, to forthwith take the reins of AIFF, including its day-to-day affairs as well as selection of players for various tournaments.

As a consolation, the bench said CoA would be free to consult Patel-led executive committee, whose four-year tenure expired on December 20, 2022. SC had five years ago appointed administrators to carry out reforms in BCCI and had framed a new Constitution for the richest cricket body on the suggestion of former CJI R M Lodha.

Justice Narasimha as senior advocate had assisted the SC as amicus curiae in carrying out the reforms in BCCI. Terming continuance of Patel-led Committee beyond December 20, 2020 as not in consonance with “proper governance of AIFF”, Justice Chandrachud-led bench on Wednesday laid down the timeline for early finalisation of the national football body’s Constitution.

It asked the CoA to circulate the draft AIFF Constitution among stakeholders to receive their objections and suggestions, which must be sent to CoA counsel Samar Bansal by June 30. It said the CoA will consider objections/suggestions and, if needed, suitably modify the Constitution and place it before the SC by July 15.

The bench clarified that it will take a call on the final shape to be given to the AIFF Constitution after hearing parties. “CoA will assist the Supreme Court and provide inputs for facilitating adoption of the new Constitution,” it