Highlight
- This order has come on a new petition of the Sports Ministry, in which amendment has been sought.
- The AIFF elections will now be held on September 2.
In a move to bring smiles and relief to the faces of Indian football fans, FIFA on Monday lifted the ban imposed on the All India Football Federation after the Supreme Court dissolved the three-member CoA constituted in May.
The move paves the way for India to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup in October.
Read also: AIFF elections: Bhaichung Bhutia files nomination for the post of AIFF President
FIFA on 15 August suspended the AIFF for “undue influence of third parties” and said that the Under-17 Women’s World Cup “cannot be held as planned in India at present”.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to lift the suspension imposed on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to undue influence of third parties,” FIFA said in a statement.
“The decision was taken after receiving confirmation by FIFA that the mandate of the Committee of Administrators set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been abolished and that the AIFF Administration had acquired full control over the day-to-day affairs of the AIFF. As a result, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 to be held on 11-30 October 2022 in India will be held as planned.”
FIFA said it and the AFC would continue to monitor the situation and support the AIFF in holding the elections in a timely manner.
On Tuesday, AIFF Acting Secretary General Sunando Dhar urged FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura to “reconsider his decision to suspend the AIFF”.
“It is with great pleasure that we inform you that the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, dated 22.08.2022, expressed happiness in passing the direction regarding complete repeal of the COA mandate to our case and consequently the AIFF has Full charge. Daily affairs,” Dhar wrote in the letter.
“In view of the above, we request FIFA, and in particular the Bureau, to reconsider our decision to suspend the AIFF.”
“Since the conditions laid down in your letter for revocation of suspension are satisfied, we request AIFF to pass an order to this effect at the earliest for the smooth running of football in India,” the letter further said. ,
The CoA, headed by former Supreme Court judge AR Dave, had been overseeing the affairs of the AIFF since the apex court’s May 18 order that removed Praful Patel from the post of president of the federation.
The other two members of the CoA are former Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureshi and former Indian football team captain Bhaskar Ganguly.
“The day-to-day management of the AIFF will be exclusively looked after by the AIFF Administration headed by the Acting General Secretary. The mandate of the Committee of Administrators appointed by the order of this Court has been superseded,” the Supreme Court said in its judgment. on Monday.
The apex court postponed the August 28 elections of the AIFF by a week to allow the changed electorate and the nomination process to begin.
The order comes on a fresh petition filed by the Sports Ministry, seeking modification of the court’s orders of May 18 and August 3, after consultation with FIFA.
The AIFF elections will now be held on September 2, with veteran Bhaichung Bhutia and former goalkeeper Kalyan Choubey set to have a direct fight for the president’s post.
(Inputs PTI)