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FIFPRO ‘deeply concerned’ by AIFF plans to set up and control players’ body

FPAI, an independent association already exists and there are concerns that one under federation's thumb would undermine players' interests

3 min readUpdated: Dec 23, 2025 01:58 PM IST

The National Players' Association (NPA) that AIFF plans to create would be under its own control, while the Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI) is recognised by FIFPRO. (File)

FIFPRO, the global body representing professional footballers, has expressed concern about All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) decision to set up a new players’ body even when one already exists.

The National Players’ Association (NPA) that AIFF plans to create would be under its own control, while the Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI) is recognised by FIFPRO.

“FIFPRO is deeply concerned by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) decision to start a process
to create a players’ association under its own control. This is an attempt to bypass the Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI), the legitimate representative body of professional footballers in India,” a statement said.

“FPAI has been a respected member of FIFPRO since 2009, meeting strict standards of governance, democratic representation and independence; it has consistently defended and promoted the interests of players with professionalism, independence and integrity.”

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The statement came as a response to AIFF’s move of opening registrations to form its own players’ association. The membership criteria include playing the sport at an elite level in the country.

As per the AIFF constitution, the NPA will not be a separate legal entity and therefore will have no authority to act on behalf of AIFF or to represent it in front of third parties. It will have no authority to legally bind or commit AIFF in any way. The federation said elections for the NPA’s office-bearers will be conducted by the federation’s election committee.

With reference to these clauses, FIFPRO said, “A players’ association effectively controlled by the federation would deprive players of an independent union, as well as meaningful influence and collective bargaining power, all of which are fundamental to effective worker representation under International Labour Organization standards. All top professional football leagues around the world have independent player unions.”

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The FPAI was incorporated in 2006 and got FIFPRO recognition in 2009. Former India skipper Bhaichung Bhutia served as its first president.

Former Indian defender Mehrajuddin Wadoo, the current president, objected to the formation of a parallel players union. “Nowhere in the world does a players’ association exist under the control of the federation. The whole idea is to have a body that can protect the interest of the players and take cognizance of their grievances,” he told The Indian Express. “A new body under AIFF’s control will undermine player interest.”

When AIFF was asked about the formation of the NPA, secretary general M Satyanarayan said, “We are working under the orders of the Supreme Court. I don’t think FIFPRO has to worry about the formation of a player’s body within the federation.”

“FPAI can continue functioning on its own and AIFF won’t have any issue with it. NPA is a body within the federation that will represent the players,” he added.