The Supreme Court on Friday said that its judgment in the case concerning the constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is “ready”, but deferred pronouncement to ensure that it was “in sync” with the recently enacted National Sports Bill.

“From our side, the judgment is ready. We just kept it to have a look at what will be the implication of the Act on it. We want it to be in-sync with it,” a Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi observed, listing the matter for August 28.

The court also addressed concerns over the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the master rights agreement (MRA) between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), whose contract runs until December this year.

The court directed FSDL to sit with AIFF and other stakeholders to work out an interim arrangement, while clarifying that player transfers could continue.

During the hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who was appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court in the case, submitted that competition under AIFF had come to a “complete standstill”, and reminded the court that all commercial rights of AIFF were vested with FSDL until 2025.

“FSDL has done it for 14 years, they have to finish and complete it, in the interest of the sport,” the amicus noted, while stressing that clubs and players should not suffer.

The amicus added that for one-and-a-half month, players have not been paid. “If it extends, FIFA will step in,” he cautioned.

Senior advocate Neeraj Krishan Kaul, appearing for FSDL, however, flagged practical difficulties, pointing out that annual investments in ISL are around ₹150 crore and no investor would be willing to come in on a short-term basis. “It can’t be that the amicus comes in and says let this interim arrangement be for the next one year. It does not work like that,” he argued.

The court, while acknowledging FSDL’s contribution to Indian football, urged it to cooperate. “With the goodwill you (FSDL) have created over so many years.. We are very positive that we are opening a new chapter for the sports. Your contribution will be substantial, so you work on it, sit with them” the court told Mr. Kaul.

Meanwhile, former India captain Baichung Bhutia’s counsel raised concerns over unpaid players and regulatory uncertainty affecting transfers. The counsel highlighted that the global transfer windows had August 31 (summer) and January 31 (winter) as the deadline.

He contended that because of the “current regulatory freeze”, no club is able to move players, and any delays beyond the transfer window could block clubs from preparing squads, affecting careers. “Unless there is clarity, no club is able to move players,” the counsel added.

The court took note of the submissions and fixed August 28 for the next hearing.