The global union for professional footballers, FIFPRO, has issued a strong condemnation of the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) recent initiative to establish a new players' association under its direct control. This move has sparked a significant controversy, as an independent and FIFPRO-recognised body, the Football Players' Association of India (FPAI), has been operating since 2006.
FIFPRO's Stern Warning and Support for FPAI
In an official statement, FIFPRO expressed deep concern over the AIFF's decision, labelling it an attempt to bypass the legitimate and independent FPAI. FIFPRO emphasised that the FPAI has been a respected member since 2009, consistently meeting stringent global standards for governance, democratic representation, and independence. The global body argued that a players' association controlled by the federation would strip athletes of a truly independent union, essential for collective bargaining and protecting their interests under International Labour Organization norms.
"A players' association effectively controlled by the federation would deprive players of an independent union, as well as meaningful influence and collective bargaining power," FIFPRO stated, adding that all top professional football leagues worldwide are supported by independent player unions.
The AIFF's Proposed NPA vs. The Established FPAI
The core of the dispute lies in the structure and autonomy of the proposed National Players' Association (NPA). According to the AIFF constitution, the NPA will not be a separate legal entity and will have no authority to legally bind the federation. Elections for the NPA's office-bearers will be conducted by the AIFF's own election committee, a point of major contention for those advocating for player autonomy.
In contrast, the FPAI, founded in 2006 and recognised by FIFPRO in 2009, operates independently. Its first president was former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, and the current president, former defender Mehrajuddin Wadoo, has openly criticised the AIFF's plan. "Nowhere in the world does a players' association exist under the control of the federation," Wadoo told The Indian Express. "The whole idea is to have a body that can protect the interest of the players... A new body under AIFF's control will undermine player interest."
Conflicting Statements and the Road Ahead
When questioned about the NPA's formation, AIFF Secretary General M. Satyanarayan stated that the federation was acting under the orders of the Supreme Court and assured that the FPAI could continue its independent functioning. "I don't think FIFPRO has to worry about the formation of a player's body within the federation," he said, describing the NPA as a representative body within the AIFF structure.
This assurance, however, has done little to assuage the concerns of FIFPRO and the FPAI leadership. The standoff highlights a critical juncture for player representation in Indian football. The outcome will determine whether Indian footballers will have an independent voice to negotiate contracts, address grievances, and safeguard their welfare, or if their representative body will remain under the administrative umbrella of the very federation it may need to challenge.
The situation continues to develop, with the global football community watching closely to see if India will align with international best practices for player union independence or chart a separate course.
