Football Players Association of India (FPAI) has moved to the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, alleging that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) deliberately avoided including them in its upcoming annual general meeting, according to a report from News9 Sports. The former football players claimed they made repeated requests for representation in accordance with the newly adopted constitution, but these were ignored by AIFF.

FPAI referred to Article 20.2 of AIFF’s new constitution, asserting that their urgent appeal is in response to what they perceive as the Federation’s intentional and arbitrary attempt to remove FPAI’s status as the recognized national players’ association ahead of the AGM.

As per the Supreme Court-approved constitution, AIFF is mandated to form the NPA, inclusive of 15 “eminent” players, who will have voting rights in its general body.

Since they are the only representative body of players in the country with the strength of 550 active members, FPAI requested AIFF for inclusion in the AGM on 2nd December.

As FPAI received no clear response, they have now argued that AIFF is creating a deception of neutrality so that players remain voiceless in the 20th December meeting, where several crucial agendas are scheduled to be discussed, which are related to footballers’ welfare.

The AIFF issued a formal notice for its AGM on 20th November, but sought applications for NPA, national referees’ association (NRA) and national coaches’ association (NCA) only on 12th December, with a deadline for submission open till January 11, 2026.

“The timing and manner of such exclusion clearly indicate the oblique motive of the Respondents (AIFF and its president Kalyan Chowbey to frustrate the representation of players in the AGM and obfuscate their vote. This is in direct breach of the express provisions of the AIFF Constitution, particularly Article 20.03 and the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgment,” FPAI said in its appeal, which will be heard on Wednesday.