New Delhi: Until its constitution is finalised, the All India Football Federation has been urged to refrain from taking a call on addition of new teams in the I-League and Indian Women’s League, while also resisting the temptation of taking prior decisions before seeking approval from its executive committee.
Through a letter, executive committee member Valanka Alemao has brought to the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey’s notice the agenda of direct entries of teams apart from instances where decisions have been taken in advance and placed before the executive committee for approval later.
During the 2024-25 season, 12 teams competed in the I-League while eight participated in the IWL. With two teams expected to be relegated from both the leagues as per tournament regulations, the federation is keen on handing direct entries to new teams in these competitions.
Though the idea faced rejection when placed before its league committee on January 31, it didn’t dissuade the AIFF from abandoning the plan as it was put up for approval at its executive committee meeting on April 7.
No decision was taken on the matter by the ExCo either on April 7, but it has prompted Valanka to point out that this practice is a deviation from the standard norms and protocols of the AIFF’s functioning and shouldn’t be encouraged further.
“The last league committee meeting took place on Jan 31, 2025. Direct entry into the I-League/lWL was on their agenda but they decided that the ‘Discussion on pre-requisites for direct entry into leagues to be discussed in the upcoming meetings.’ Now this has never been made known to the EC Members at any point of time,” she wrote.
“There have been very serious arguments made by various entities during the SC (Supreme Court) hearing calling for one league with a promotion/demotion structure on grounds of Sporting Merit.
“Therefore it would be prudent to wait for the new Constitution which the SC will deliver to us before taking this discussion forward. But this idea of having direct entries is put up for approval without even the draft being circulated.”
A draft constitution, prepared by former judge L Nageswara Rao, has already been submitted in the Supreme Court, which has also completed the process of hearing arguments of all Indian football’s stakeholders and is poised to deliver a judgement once the proceedings resume after summer vacation on July 14.
In the meantime, the apex court has also directed the AIFF not to take any major decisions or engage in contract extension negotiations with its marketing partners.
Valanka also reminded Chaubey that being the highest decision-making body, the executive committee is empowered to conduct, guide and govern the general management and direction of the federation for carrying out its objectives.
The ExCo is also authorised to supervise and ensure the performance of the respective roles, responsibilities and powers of the general secretary and standing committees and ensure a distribution and balance of authority so that no single individual has unfettered powers.
But several decisions have been taken in the past, including the decision to sack its general secretary in November 2023 and change of personnel in disciplinary and appeals committees in March 2025, that have not been done following protocol.
The AIFF has been dragged to the Delhi High Court over ‘wrongful termination’ of its secretary general where the matter is still subjudice while Valanka had earlier questioned the new appointees in judicial bodies.
“Unfortunately, as I have pointed out to you previously as well, decisions are already made and then approval of the executive committee is sought leading to confusion and controversy,” she said.
Decision on referees questioned
Also the chairperson of women’s football committee, Valanka red flagged the demotion of under-performing referees from the top-tier Indian Super League to the second division I-League.
Multiple clubs had earlier raised the matter of questionable refereeing decisions in the I-League to the AIFF.
“There was a referees committee meeting on Jan 16, 2025. There it was decided that the match official who finished last in the ISL Referee and Assistant Referee merit tables would be demoted to the I-League at the end of the season and would not be eligible for any more ISL appointments as referees or ARS.
“Demotions by match officials could be delayed until the end of the season. The current season may see the assignment of the officials with the lowest rankings in the ISL’s mid-season merit table to I-League games. At the conclusion of the season, their performance will be examined once more.”
“How can the referees committee even think of taking such a decision? By demoting such referees and assistant referees to the I-League, are we not filling up the I-League panel of referees with sub-standard referees?,” Valanka wondered.
“Again, the EC Members have no clue whatsoever of such totally uncalled for moves which will lead to controversies if approved.”
Apart from these instances, Valanka said many other decisions have been taken without being discussed or brought before the executive committee even as late as April 7, when the last EC meeting was held after the conclusion of the I-League on April 6.
“We cannot afford to breach our own statutes and regulations we ourselves formed and approved. I request you to kindly ensure that the members of the executive committee are kept informed of any decision which any committee or sub committee takes so as to ascertain the views of every member and avoid any possible controversy and follow article 29.2 which details the powers and duties of the executive committee.”
Neither the AIFF nor its president has commented on the matter so far.
The agenda of direct entries of teams in I-League and IWL has been brought to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey’s notice, apart from instances where decisions have been taken in advance and placed before the executive committee for approval later. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
