FIFPRO
FIFPRO
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21/12/2025
  • FIFPRO deeply concerned by the All India Football Federation’s decision to create its own player association
  • Initiative is an attempt to undermine and bypass FIFPRO-affiliated Football Players Association of India
  • This is part of a trend towards more autocratic governance in professional football 

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.

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. 

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. Regrettably, AIFF is following a broader and increasingly visible tactic in football governance, whereby so-called “yellow unions” are created to weaken, bypass, or delegitimise genuine and independent player representation. 

This comes against the backdrop of the already difficult conditions faced by professional footballers in India, which have previously been raised by FIFPRO Asia/Oceania. Instead of addressing these longstanding challenges, AIFF’s approach is to try and weaken player representation.

FIFPRO has already raised its concerns privately with AIFF, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation in a letter sent at the end of October. We ask all relevant authorities and stakeholders to comply with international labour standards, democratic principles, and the fundamental right of professional footballers in India to be represented by a legitimate, independent and player-led union.