For the second time in three years, Indian football is staring at the prospect of a FIFA ban. In a letter sent by FIFA and the AFC on Tuesday (26 August), the governing bodies instructed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to hold elections by 30 October, warning of possible sanctions if the directive is not followed.

The letter expressed deep concern over repeated delays in finalizing and implementing a new constitution. Since the matter was raised in the Supreme Court in 2017, progress has stalled. Despite repeated requests, India has failed to establish a clear and transparent administrative framework, creating what FIFA described as an "intolerable vacuum and legal uncertainty" in the country’s football governance.

Signed by FIFA Member Associations’ Chief Officer Elkhan Mammadov and AFC Deputy General Secretary Vahid Kardany, the letter stated that elections must be held by 30 October in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive and under the framework of the new constitution.

The AIFF has also been instructed to implement the new constitution at its next General Assembly meeting. FIFA further warned that the federation must operate independently, without any interference from the government or third parties.