Mother Land Sports Club v. Tamil Nadu Football Association

ORDER By consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal.

¶2This Writ Petition is filed for a Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to take over the affairs of the 2nd respondent and consequently, direct conducting of the Annual League for the year 2025-26 in accordance with the list of 96 teams and the respective division wise team allocation as reflected on the 2nd respondent Annual Report for the year ended 2021-22.

¶3The case of the petitioner is that it is a football club member of the 2nd respondent and falls under the umbrella of the 1st respondent Association. The All India Football Association / 4th respondent is the apex body governing and Page3 of 6 controlling the sport of Football in India. According to the petitioner, the 2nd respondent is presently controlled by one E.Sugumaran, who projects himself as its Honorary Secretary despite being legally disqualified from holding any office. Owing to such illegal control, the 2nd respondent has failed to conduct leagues in accordance with its constitution and championship rules. Although the petitioner is an Active Club with voting rights, it has been unlawfully downgraded and deprived of its voting rights under the present administration. The 2nd respondent now proposes to conduct Annual League for the year 2025-

¶26Therefore, the petitioner seeks a Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to assume control of the affairs of the 2nd respondent and conduct the Annual League for the year 2025-26 in accordance with the list of 96 teams and the respective division wise team allocation as reflected on the 2nd respondent Annual Report for the year ended 2021-22.

¶4Heard both sides and perused the materials on record.

¶5When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that it would suffice, if this Court permits the petitioner to ventilate the grievance before the first respondent and directs the first respondent to consider the same and pass appropriate orders. Page4 of 6

¶6The learned counsel appearing for the third respondent submits that the third respondent has no role to play with the dispute between the petitioner and the second respondent.

¶7Heard the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned counsel appearing for the third respondent. Since no adverse order is going to be passed against the respondent Nos.1, 2 and 4, notice to the respondent Nos.1, 2 and 4 is dispensed with.

¶8In view of the limited request made by the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, permits the petitioner to ventilate the grievance before the first respondent within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that if the petitioner approaches the first respondent, the first respondent shall immediately act upon and pass appropriate orders, after providing opportunity to the petitioner and the second respondent within a period of two weeks from thereon. Page5 of 6

¶9Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 02-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ssb To

1.Tamil Nadu Football Association, Represented by Hon'ble Justice A.K.Rajan (Retd.) Chairman, 73, Jawaharlal Nehro Stadium, Chennai-600 003.

2.Chennai Football Association, Represented by F.Sugumaran, Hon.Secretary (As claimed), 9/23, North Mada Church Street, Royapuram, Chennai-600 013.

3.The Chief Executive Officer / Member secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthiah Road, Periyamet, Chennai-600 003.

4.All India Football Federation, Football House, Sector-19, Phase I, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110 075. Page6 of 6

M.DHANDAPANI, J. ssb WP No.6772 of 2026 02-03-2026

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 02-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.No.7340 of 2026 Mother Land Sports Club, Represented by its Hon.Secretary, M.Maravarma Sundara Pandian, Flat 2A, No.264, 6th Main Road, LIC Nagar, Madipakkam, Chennai-600 091. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1.Tamil Nadu Football Association, Represented by Hon'ble Justice A.K.Rajan (Retd.) Chairman, 73, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai-600 003. 2.Chennai Football Association, Represented by F.Sugumaran, Hon.Secretary (As claimed), 9/23, North Mada Church Street, Royapuram, Chennai-600 013. 3.The Chief Executive Officer / Member secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthiah Road, Periyamet, Chennai-600 003. 4.All India Football Federation, Football House, Sector-19, Phase I, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110 075. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to take Page2 of 6 over the affairs of the 2nd respondent and consequently direct conducting of the Annual League for the year 2025-26 in accordance with the list of 96 teams and the respective division wise team allocation as reflected on the 2nd respondent Annual Report for the year ended 2021-22. For Petitioner(s): Mr.P.V.Balasubramanian, Senior Counsel for M/s.Zainab Fathima For Respondent(s): Mr.N.S.Tanvi for R3