Delhi HC Reconstitutes AIFF Ethics Committee

The Hon’ble Delhi High Court, in Churchill Brothers Sports Club Pvt. Ltd. v. All India Football Federation & Ors. (W.P.(C) 3981/2026 and W.P.(C) 4064/2026, order dated April 1, 2026), Reconstituted the AIFF Ethics and Dispute Resolution Committee to adjudicate complaints between Churchill Brothers and Avimukta Sports Private Limited (Inter Kashi FC) after concerns were raised regarding conflict of interest within the existing committee structure.

The petitions were filed by Churchill Brothers Sports Club Pvt. Ltd. seeking, inter alia, the constitution of an “independent, neutral and impartial committee” to adjudicate representations and complaints submitted by the club against AIFF and Inter Kashi FC. The petitioner also sought directions restraining AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey from influencing the proceedings concerning the disputes.

The dispute arose in the background of earlier proceedings in Churchill Brothers Sports Club Pvt. Ltd. v. All India Football Federation & Anr. (W.P.(C) 14408/2025), wherein the Delhi High Court, by order dated January 8, 2026, directed AIFF to consider and decide the complaints and counter-complaints filed by Churchill Brothers and Inter Kashi FC after granting hearing opportunities to both sides. The Court had further directed AIFF to pass a speaking order within four weeks from the conclusion of the hearing.

According to the petitioner, despite the earlier directions, the complaints had not been adjudicated, leading to the initiation of contempt proceedings (Cont.Cas.(C) 357/2026). During this period, the petitioner became aware that AIFF had established an Ethics and Dispute Resolution Committee to adjudicate disputes.

Before the Court, the principal issue was whether the existing Ethics and Dispute Resolution Committee of AIFF could fairly adjudicate disputes in light of allegations of conflicts of interest against certain committee members and apprehensions of institutional bias. The petitioner contended that several members of the Committee had conflicts of interest and that an independent mechanism was necessary to ensure fairness in adjudication.

AIFF submitted that committee member Mr R.K. Pachnanda had already recused himself and that two other members had also opted out. It was further submitted that the Committee had been reconstituted and that Justice (Retd.) Shekhar Dhawan and advocate Ayush Jain had been recommended for induction into the Committee. AIFF argued that, in view of the reconstitution and the existence of an appellate mechanism headed by retired judges, the grievances raised by the petitioner stood substantially addressed.

The Court, however, observed that the allegations raised by the petitioner involved fundamental concerns about the Committee’s functioning and the AIFF President’s role in the decision-making process.

Thus, the Court deemed it appropriate to appoint Justice Rekha Palli, former Judge of the Delhi High Court, as Chairperson of the Ethics and Dispute Resolution Committee for adjudicating the complaints between Churchill Brothers and Inter Kashi FC. The remaining members were directed to include senior advocate Mr Akshay Makhija and retired District & Sessions Judge Mr Ashok Tripathi, with two additional members to be inducted in consultation with them.

Accordingly, the Delhi High Court disposed of the petitions with directions that the complaints be adjudicated expeditiously within two months from the date of the first meeting of the reconstituted Committee.