New Delhi: Delhi FC Director Ranjit Bajaj has taken legal action against the All India Football Federation (AIFF) over the appointment of its Secretary General, Anilkumar Prabhakaran. Bajaj has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, arguing that the appointment violates India’s national sports code. According to him, a former executive committee member cannot take up an administrative role in the federation.
Bajaj has also raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest, alleging that Anilkumar Prabhakaran had previous ties to Scoreline Sports, the company that organised the Kerala Super League (KSL). He insists that such links should have been considered before giving him a top position in AIFF. With Indian football already dealing with off-field controversies, this legal battle adds another layer of uncertainty over its administration.
AIFF faces fresh legal dispute over appointment
So the targeting has started – as I was the voice speaking out against AIFF their most usual way of trying to get to me is by targeting me personally thru their crony match commissioners who are given specific instructions on how much to fine and who to penalise – it was very… pic.twitter.com/WVBcnRlKjm
— Ranjit Bajaj (@THE_RanjitBajaj) January 29, 2025
This is not the first time AIFF’s governance has come under scrutiny. Over the past year, multiple complaints have been raised against its leadership. In December, former AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran accused AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey of corruption. He submitted a formal complaint to the AIFF ethics committee, claiming that Chaubey’s actions violated AIFF, FIFA, and Asian Football Confederation’s ethics codes.
Shaji Prabhakaran was appointed Secretary General under Chaubey but was dismissed in January. After his removal, he openly criticised AIFF’s leadership, blaming Chaubey for financial mismanagement and reputational damage. In his complaint, he pointed out that the Indian men’s national team failed to win a single match in the entire 2024 calendar year. According to him, this was a direct result of poor governance at the top level.
Bajaj’s legal action now adds to the growing number of disputes AIFF has faced in recent months. His petition calls for the court to examine whether Anilkumar Prabhakaran’s appointment violates India’s national sports code and whether his alleged business connections create a conflict of interest. If the court finds the appointment unlawful, it could force AIFF to reconsider its leadership structure.
So far, the AIFF has not issued an official response to Bajaj’s complaint. However, the case is expected to bring further scrutiny to the federation’s decision-making. With Indian football struggling to make progress on the pitch, governance issues continue to dominate the headlines.
Delhi FC’s Ranjit Bajaj has taken legal action against AIFF, challenging Anilkumar Prabhakaran’s appointment as Secretary General, citing violations of India’s sports code and a potential conflict of interest. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
