Until its constitution is finalized, one of the All India Football Federation’s executive committee members, Valanka Alemao has requested to the AIFF president Kalyan Chaube through a letter to refrain from initiating for the 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 according to a report from News9 Sports.

“The last league committee meeting took place on 31st January, 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 in 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,” she also pointed out the issue.

Valanka Alemao has also given intimation to the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, requesting him not take prior decision about the 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 31^st January, 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 Executive Committee on 7^th April, 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.

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 judgment once the proceedings resume after summer vacation on 14^th July.